Perhaps this is an oversimplification but here goes: ELISA measures the bulk production of cytokines whereas cytokine flow measures production at the single cell level. Typically one's results demonstrate production of both IFN and IL-4. If you note a huge predominance of one cytokine or the other, then you very like have a Th1 or Th2 polarized immune response. Where I see many researchers fall down is when they find both IFN and IL-4 in a culture supernatant (by ELISA) and attribute this to a Th0 response. In fact these investigators do not know if they have measured a true Th0 response or concurrent Th1 and Th2 responses. The whole Th1/Th2 paradigm rests on T cell clonality. Cytokine flow offers a great deal in terms of the quality and fidelity of the data, but ELISA wins hands down in terms of ease, speed, learning curve, etc. Cytokine flow can allow detection of cytokines in a small sub-population by gating. Sensitivity is a complex question with no single answer. Suffice it to say that there are several instances when I have picked up a response by flow that was below the level of detection. However, I am sure others will have the opposite experience to share. > _______________________ > Calman Prussin > Laboratory of Allergic Diseases > NIAID/ National Institutes of Health > > ---------- > From: Gaffin, Stephen L USARIEM > Sent: Friday, January 7, 2000 2:11 PM > To: Cytometry Mailing List > Subject: Th1/Th2 ? > > > Dear Flowpersons, > Which is the "better" assay for Th1/Th2-ness? flow cytometry or > ELISA? and which are the best cytokines to measure? > Better * S ease, convenience, speed, reproducibility, sensitivity > Thank you > Gaffin > ************************************************************ > ************************************************************ > ** Stephen L. Gaffin, Ph.D. > ** > ** Research Physiologist > ** > ** U.S. Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine ** > ** Natick MA 01760-5007 > ** > ** Tel. 508-233-4867 Fax 508-233-4869 ** > ** email stephen.gaffin@na.amedd.army.mil ** > ************************************************************ > ************************************************************ > >
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