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Interferon Gamma Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Spot Assay, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555818814/9781555818814_Chap11.20-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555818814/9781555818814_Chap11.20-2.gifAbstract:
The enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) assay was described more than 25 years ago for the detection of specific immune cells at the single-cell level. The utility of the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) ELISpot assay in detecting antigen-specific T cells was initially demonstrated in models of autoimmune and infectious diseases. Optimization of the assay through the introduction of specifically designed antibodies, 96-well plates, substrate kits, and other modifications has broadened the potential uses for the IFN-γ ELISpot assay. Today, it is being used for a wide range of applications, including monitoring responses in patients with cancer undergoing immunotherapeutic treatment and monitoring specific immune response patterns in patients with infectious, neoplastic, or autoimmune diseases. Additionally, it has been an important tool in the identification of immunodominant epitopes in HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, as well as in the development of specific vaccine strategies ( 1 , 2 ).