Validity of multiplex-based assays for cytokine measurements in serum and plasma from "non-diseased" subjects: comparison with ELISA.
Multiplex-based immunoassays (MIA) allow the simultaneous measurement of different cytokines in small sample volumes, but their applicability in samples from "healthy" subjects, as those participating in large-scale epidemiological studies is not well known. We compared measurements of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble CD40L (sCD40L) obtained by MIA with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in serum and plasma samples from 36 "healthy" subjects. We observed good correlations between measurements obtained by MIA and ELISA for IL-1Ra, CRP and sCD40L (r>0.80) but poor correlations for IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta (r<0.40). When comparing MIA plasma and serum measurements, very high correlations were obtained for CRP (r=0.98) and fairly good correlations for IL-1Ra (r=0.60). In conclusion, multiplex-based assays can give an accurate estimate of the relative risk in large-scale epidemiological studies but only for cytokines that are present in relatively large concentrations (ng/mL).
Dossus
Laure
L
Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Becker
Susen
S
Achaintre
David
D
Kaaks
Rudolf
R
Rinaldi
Sabina
S
D001782:Blood Donors; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic