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Measurement of interleukin 16
David M Center1, William W Cruikshank1, Nereida A Parada1
1Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Current Protocols in Immunology
|April 25, 2008
Summary
Interleukin 16 (IL-16) is an immunomodulatory cytokine. This study outlines methods to detect IL-16 and its biological effects, including chemotaxis and cell cycle progression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Interleukin 16 (IL-16) is a cytokine with chemoattractant and immunomodulatory functions.
- IL-16 mediates cellular responses via interaction with CD4 receptors on cell surfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present diverse methodologies for detecting Interleukin 16 (IL-16).
- To describe assays for evaluating IL-16's bioactivity and cellular effects.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for quantifying IL-16 in biological samples.
- Functional assays to assess IL-16-induced chemotaxis on CD4+ T cells, monocytes, and eosinophils.
- Immunological staining to measure IL-16-induced CD25 expression and radiolabeled thymidine incorporation for cell cycle analysis.
Main Results:
- Established ELISA as a method for IL-16 measurement.
- Demonstrated functional assays for IL-16's chemotactic effects and induction of CD25.
- Validated cell cycle progression assays for IL-16's impact on target cells.
Conclusions:
- Multiple methods exist for detecting IL-16 and assessing its biological functions.
- Assay selection depends on experimental objectives, ranging from quantification to bioactivity assessment.
