An accurate and rapid single step protocol for enumeration of cytokine positive T lymphocytes

Accurate determination of cellular subsets that secrete particular cytokine(s) is a significant parameter for functional characterization of an immunological response. The present study was conducted to develop a method for simultaneous measurement of intracellular cytokine positive CD4 and CD8 positive T lymphocytes in a single tube, with a no-wash protocol. We report here the development of a simplified, rapid procedure for precise enumeration of cytokine positive T lymphocytes using BD Trucount tubes. This single step protocol for accurate enumeration of cytokine positive T lymphocytes, will allow for better characterization of immune cell phenotype and function.