Cytokine Secretion and Enzyme Activity Test

Cytokines are small secreted proteins released by cells have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells. In the process of immune response, cytokines play an important role in immune regulation, inflammatory response, tumor metastasis and other physiological and pathological processes. The detection of cytokines is not only an effective means of basic immune research, but also has important value in clinical diagnosis, course observation, curative effect judgment and cytokine treatment monitoring.

ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) is based on the immobilization of antigen or antibody and enzyme labeling of antigen or antibody. The antigen or antibody bound to the surface of the solid carrier still retains its immunological activity, while the enzyme labeled antigen or antibody retains both its immunological activity and enzyme activity. During the determination, the tested sample (antibody or antigen) reacts with the antigen or antibody on the surface of the solid carrier. The antigen antibody complex formed on the solid carrier is separated from other substances in the liquid by washing. Then the enzyme labeled antigen or antibody is added to the solid carrier. At this time, the amount of enzyme on the solid phase is in a certain proportion to the amount of tested substances in the sample. After adding the substrate of enzyme reaction, the substrate is catalysed by the enzyme to become a colored product. The amount of the product is directly related to the amount of the tested substance in the sample, so it can be qualitatively or quantitatively analyzed according to absorbency. Due to the high catalytic efficiency of enzyme, the result of immune reaction is indirectly amplified, which makes the method highly sensitive. ELISA can be used to detect both antigen and antibody.