Cytokines are small soluble molecules that regulate the immune system. They are vital for cell-to-cell communication and modulating cell growth and immune responses. Today research has shown that dysregulated cytokine expression is the primary reason for immunological and inflammatory diseases. Several cells secrete cytokines. Today, with the growing interest in cytokine analysis, several assays have been developed to comprehend cell-to-cell signaling and decipher underlying mechanisms. Meso Scale cytokine multiplex assay is one such robust platform for cytokine analysis.
MSD cytokine multiplex assay helps researchers detect biomarkers via singleplex and multiplex formats. MSD cytokine assay combines electrochemiluminescence detection and multiarray technology to deliver rapid and parallel processing of study samples. Besides, the MSD product line has diverse tests, such as immunogenicity assay and numerous reagents and microplates for assay development. Hence the current article explores the applications of MSD analysis in disease biomarker discovery.
MSD analysis for biomarker discovery
Understanding the presence and abundance of biomarkers is critical in preclinical and clinical research. MSD technology helps the researchers profile numerous biomarkers, such as cytokines and intracellular signaling proteins, directly impacting drug discovery and development studies. The MSD platform can assess multiple analytes in complex biological samples with high consistency and low sample requirements. These characteristics make MSD analysis an ideal platform for high-throughput biomarker analysis. Besides, researchers can develop and validate several analytes and biomarkers via prevalidated kits or custom MSD panels.
Since clinical samples are innately complex, traditional immunoassays such as ELISA and RIA (Radioimmunoassay) find it challenging to assess complex fluids. Moreover, complex matrices such as vaginal fluids and sputum, widely ranging analyte concentrations, and limited sample volumes make biomarker analysis even more challenging. Here MSD bioanalysis can prove beneficial. MSD assays have a broader dynamic range, multiplexing capacities, improved sensitivity, and work well in complex study samples. Besides, this platform comes with IQ/OQ/PQ validation and is supported by GLP and 21 CFR part 11 compliance.
A broader dynamic range helps researchers measure biomarkers in controls and study samples without multiple dilutions. Moreover, MSD assays are highly adaptable. The carbon electrode surface in MSD microplates can be coated with different capture materials, including proteins, peptides, antibodies, cell lysates, carbohydrates, and polysaccharides. Besides, MSD assays are standardized and optimized in different biological sample types such as blood, serum, plasma, tissue homogenates, and cell culture supernatant. Not to mention, multiplexing capacities and higher sensitivity facilitate the assessment of several biomarkers in a single sample volume.
Most importantly, MSD offers custom assay development and prototype printing services. For new analytes or specific combinations of proteins, MSD can provide custom multiplex panels to fulfill all research needs. The team prepares a custom panel depending on research preferences and supplements it with an assay protocol. Besides their field application, scientists are available to support researchers at every step of the R&D process.. For analytes not available in the MSD assay list, they provide prototype printing services to coat the antibody in your ELISA.
Prototype printing services are a robust approach for facilitating custom assay development. Researchers can coat the MSD plates with the materials of their choice. These coating materials include antibodies, peptides, proteins, polysaccharides, and carbohydrates, making MSD analysis a robust technology for cytokine and biomarker discovery studies.
