RESUMEN
Current immunoassays for the measurement of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) typically utilize an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) format that requires multiple incubations and washing steps and often expensive immunoassay kits. We have developed a bead-based, mix and read, indirect fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay utilizing fluorometric microvolume assay technology (FMAT). The assay employs a monoclonal anti-LTB(4) antibody-coated onto goat antimouse antibody coupled polystyrene beads and an AlexaFluor-647-coupled LTB(4) ligand. Because the FMAT measurement is made only in the portion of the well volume containing the settled beads coated with AF647-LTB(4), the free label in the solution is not measured. Similarly, substances present in plasma that interfere with other immunoassays are largely ignored. The assay is robust (Z=0.8; S/N=250) and can be measured in the presence of relatively high concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide or serum. It is inexpensive (<0.10 dollars/assay) and amenable to robotics and has a sensitivity comparable to that of the most sensitive ELISA assays; the concentration of LTB(4) giving 50% inhibition (IC(50)) was ca. 55pg/ml. Cross-reactivity in the FMAT assay was comparable to that of the ELISA assay with significant cross-reactivity found only with 20-hydroxy LTB(4) and 12-epi LTB(4). Measurements of LTB(4) determined by FMAT were equivalent to those measured by standard ELISA in samples of ionophore-stimulated human neutrophils or whole blood.