How is ELISpot different from an ELISA?
Both assays employ the quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. In an ELISA you measure the concentration of protein (ng or pg/mL) already secreted by the cell into your matrix (serum, plasma, conditioned media, etc.). In an ELISpot, you are culturing the cells in the plate and the immobilized capture antibody in the immediate vicinity of the secreting cell binds the protein of interest. The sites of cytokine localization are visualized using a colored, precipitating substrate rather than a soluble substrate as employed in an ELISA.
