High sensitivity and dynamic range in TR-FRET cell-based cytokine assays

Abstract: Cytokines are important regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune response. Since their roles are not completely understood yet, both basic and drug discovery research require accurate cytokine quantification methods. Here we show the results from biomarker assays that are designed to enable the simple, rapid, sensitive, and robust quantification of biomarkers in cell supernatants. These assays used Time-Resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (TR-FRET) technology, which is well-suited for cytokine quantification, with distinct advantages over conventional ELISA: homogeneous format, low sample volume, one-step protocol, wider dynamic range, high-throughput capability, and proven robustness and reproducibility. Here we show the results of 5 commonly quantified human: CCL2, IFN γ, IL-1β, IL-12 and TNFα. All assays showed excellent sensitivity and dynamic range.