Incorporation of cells into an ELISA system enhances antigen-driven lymphokine detection.

The ability to measure successfully the levels of Th1 or Th2 cytokines during an in vitro antigen-driven, polyclonal T-cell response has proven to be more difficult than expected. Here we describe the development of a highly sensitive cell-based ELISA (celELISA) technique for the detection of murine Th1 and Th2 cytokines. The celELISA combines the quantification aspects of the conventional sandwich ELISA with the sensitivity of the ELISPOT assay. The celELISA was particularly useful for the improved detection of IL-2, IL-4, and to a lessor extent, IFN-gamma.