Basic RT-PCR for Measurement of Cytokine Expression
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As an alternative to the ELISPOT assay described in previous chapters, the expression of known cytokines can be analyzed at the mRNA level. Although expression of mRNA for a particular cytokine does not imply corre-sponding expression of the protein, both techniques in combination provide important, specific information in a short time. Since the late 1980s, the poly-merase chain reaction (PCR), a powerful and exquisitely sensitive technique, has revolutionized studies of rare mRNA molecules including analyses of cytokines in immune-mediated diseases.
