What can they tell us about the autoimmune response in RA?Why might pre-treatment with the immunomodulatory agent BiP prevent joint damage and what effect might this have on the T cells.

ELISA experiment rheumatoid arthritis

Task:

Data analysis: analyse the data you are provided with to determine the amount of IL-17 and
IL-10 produced by each of the four experimental samples (A-D).
1. Plot and present annotated standard curves of the two ELISA experiments on graphs using an appropriate analysis package (e.g. Excel, Prism) – ensure graphs are presented and labelled appropriately. (8 marks)

2. Calculate the concentrations of cytokines secreted in the unknown samples (A-D) and complete data tables D & E. Present the results of your analysis of ALL the experimental samples (including those generated above) in separate graphs showing the degree of biological variation. (6 marks)

Results description (500 words maximum).

1. Draw a schematic of the experiment (4 marks)

2. Describe the results (12 marks)
Remember to include a description of what the CIA samples did in comparison to respective baseline samples and the differences between the samples pre-treated and untreated with the immunomodulatory agent. Comment on what the sensitivity of the two ELISA experiments was and how reliable and reproducible the results are.

Results discussion (500 words maximum). (20 marks)

Give a brief discussion and conclusion for your findings. Why were these two cytokines measured? What can they tell us about the autoimmune response in RA?Why might pre-treatment with the immunomodulatory agent BiP prevent joint damage and what effect might this have on the T cells.

Finally, can you find any research literature that supports these conclusions in human RA?