Basic RT-PCR for Measurement of Cytokine Expression

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.