| 摘要 |
<p>An improved method for detection of agents in an analyte sample from a mammal, which agents will stimulate mononuclear cells to release factors for endothelial cell activation. The method is based on the discovery that an indirect pathway for endothelial cell activation mediated by mononuclear blood cells is substantially more efficient in stimulating the production of cytokines and cell adhesion molecules by endothelial cells than a direct, serum-dependent pathway. The method of the invention therefore utilizes the indirect pathway to activate cultured endothelial cells by exposing them to an amplification mixture comprising the analyte sample and mononuclear blood cells. Activation, if any, of the cultured endothelial cells is then determined by described detection means. Using this improved method, mononuclear cell stimulatory agents (such as inflammatory agents) can be detected in an analyte sample at picomolar or greater concentrations.</p> |
