MultiplexImmunhistologie

Multiplex immunoassays are laboratory techniques that quantify multiple analytes in a single sample, typically proteins such as cytokines, chemokines, antibodies, or growth factors. By using sets of capture reagents arranged in a way that each target yields a distinguishable signal, these assays enable simultaneous profiling rather than single-plex testing.

Platforms include bead-based systems, such as color-coded microspheres read by flow-based detectors (e.g., Luminex), and planar antibody microarrays, read by fluorescence imagers or electrochemiluminescent readers. Some approaches employ proximity extension assays or electrochemiluminescent multiplex panels. They require standard curves, internal controls, and careful calibration to ensure quantitative results across targets.

Applications include immune monitoring in infectious diseases and cancer, biomarker discovery and validation, pharmacodynamic studies, vaccine research, and clinical diagnostics where limited sample volume is available.

Advantages include higher throughput, reduced sample consumption, and broad dynamic range with multiplex readouts. Limitations involve potential cross-reactivity, assay interference, matrix effects, and the need for rigorous validation, standardization, and proper data analysis to interpret multi-analyte panels.

In tissue analysis, multiplex immunohistochemistry or multiplex immunofluorescence provides spatial context for protein expression, complementing soluble-protein multiplex assays in comprehensive studies.