Xplore mRNA assays for the quantification of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha mRNA in lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse macrophages.

Because the accurate measurement of a number of cytokine mRNA transcripts provides valuable knowledge about cytokine gene regulation, we have developed the Xplore assay for the quantification of cytokine mRNA. This microplate-based assay is rapid (under four hours), quantitative over three orders of magnitude and carries no risk of false-positive values from contamination with amplified target. Here, we describe the use of Xplore assays to measure the steady-state mRNA levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta produced by mouse WEHI and J774 macrophage-like cell lines.