Biomark Medicine | July 22, 2021

Verberk IM, Nossent EJ, Bontkes HJ and Teunissen CE

Biomark Med. 2021

DOI: https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/pdf/10.2217/bmm-2020-0770

ABSTRACT

Aim:
We investigated the effect of pre-analytical sample handling variations on coronavirus disease 2019-relevant circulating cytokine levels IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-6 and TNF-α.

Materials & methods:
We collected blood in different collection tubes (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sodium citrate, lithium heparin, serum), and subjected thylenediaminetetraacetic acid plasma to among others increasing delays in centrifugation or -80◦C-storage. Six subjects were included in each experimental condition. Cytokine levels were measured in these samples using the Simoa Cytokine 6-plex kit.

Results:
Different tube types resulted in different blood cytokine levels. IL-17A and IL-6 levels declined with 3 h centrifugation delay. IFN-γ levels declined with 24 h postcentrifugation storage delay. IL-17A levels declined with 2-week storage delay.

Conclusion:
It is recommended to centrifuge tubes quickly following collection, for accurate cytokine measurement.