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A comparison of serum and plasma cytokine values using a multiplexed assay in cats
Margaret E Gruen1, Kristen M Messenger2, Andrea E Thomson3
1Comparative Pain Research Program, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA; Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
Insights
Serum samples offer improved detection of feline cytokines compared to plasma, despite generally good agreement between the two. This finding is crucial for understanding pain and joint disease in cats.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is common in cats, with pain significantly impacting their well-being.
- Cytokine alterations are linked to joint deterioration and pain in humans, but this connection is understudied in felines.
- Multiplex technology allows cytokine measurement from small serum or plasma samples, though their interchangeability is uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the agreement and detection levels of cytokine concentrations between feline serum and plasma samples.
- To determine if serum or plasma is a more reliable matrix for feline cytokine analysis.
Main Methods:
- Paired serum and plasma samples were collected from 38 cats.
- Blood was processed into serum and plasma, then stored at -80°C.
- A 19-plex feline cytokine/chemokine magnetic bead panel was used for duplicate sample testing.
Main Results:
- High agreement was observed between serum and plasma for several analytes, with correlation coefficients varying widely (-0.01 to 0.97).
- Over 50% of samples showed results below the lower limit of quantification for nine analytes in both serum and plasma.
- An additional three analytes were below quantification limits in plasma only.
Conclusions:
- Serum and plasma demonstrated generally good agreement for feline cytokine analysis.
- Serum samples provided superior detection rates for a majority of the measured cytokines.
- Serum is recommended over plasma for more comprehensive feline cytokine profiling, particularly in DJD research.
Background:
Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is highly prevalent in cats, and pain contributes to morbidity. In humans, alterations of cytokine concentrations have been associated with joint deterioration and pain. Similar changes have not been investigated in cats. Cytokine concentrations can be measured using multiplex technology with small samples of serum or plasma, however, serum and plasma are not interchangeable for most bioassays. Correlations for cytokine concentrations between serum and plasma have not been evaluated in cats.
Objective:
To evaluate the levels of detection and agreement between serum and plasma samples in cats.
Animals:
Paired serum and plasma samples obtained from 38 cats.
Methods:
Blood was collected into anti-coagulant free and EDTA Vacutainer® tubes, serum or plasma extracted, and samples frozen at -80°C until testing. Duplicate samples were tested using a 19-plex feline cytokine/chemokine magnetic bead panel.
Results:
Agreement between serum and plasma for many analytes was high, however correlation coefficients ranged from -0.01 to 0.97. Results from >50% of samples were below the lower limit of quantification for both serum and plasma for nine analytes, and for an additional three analytes for plasma only.
Conclusions And Clinical Importance:
While serum and plasma agreement was generally good, detection was improved using serum samples.
