ELISPOT assay

The ELISPOT assay is a laboratory technique used to measure how many specialized immune cells, called T cells, produce specific proteins, like cytokines, in response to a stimulus. Blood cells are placed on a plate with a surface coated to capture these proteins. When T cells produce the proteins, they are captured around each cell, forming visible spots after a staining process. Counting these spots helps scientists determine the activity and quantity of specific immune cells, providing insights into immune responses, such as vaccine effectiveness or infection status.