I have worked with a variety of cytokine ELISAs, for both human and
murine cytokines, from various manufacturers. In almost every
run, each kit that we have bought has worked within the
specifications of that particular kit. We have had kits fail, but
when this has happened, we have been able to get a free replacement.
Our primary reason for choosing a manufacturer was dependent upon the
kit availability for a given cytokine.
If your assaying mouse cytokines, Endogen is now offering antibody
pairs for establishing your own ELISA. Although you may need to buy
extra recombinant cytokine for the standard curve, this strategy
offers substantial savings over a complete kit price. We are now
adopting these as the standard in our murine cytokine assays.
If you are luck enough to have several manufacturers for a given
cytokine call each one and see if you can get a free kit for
evaluation purposes. Then you could run the kits to see which is
best for your lab.
You should also try to estimate the number of kits you will need over
the next year and try to set-up a standing order. With multiple kit
purchases you should get some price break over the individual kit
price.
Mitch Magee
Department of Research Immunology
Texas Center for Infectious Disease
2303 S.E. Military Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78223-3597
Phone: (210) 534-8857 xt 209
Fax: (210) 532-7791
Email: MMAGEE at tcid.tdh.texas.gov
