Patent ID: 7560243
Filing Date: 2009-07-14
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A kit for measuring a nucleotide receptor P2X7 pore activity in white blood cells contained within a whole blood sample of a subject, the kit comprising: (a) a white blood cell-specific antibody conjugated to a label configured for labeling white blood cells contained within the subject's whole blood sample; (b) a dye capable of uptake by nucleotide receptor P2X7 pores; (c) a P2X7 agonist in an amount sufficient to activate nucleotide receptor P2X7 pore activity in the white blood cells contained within the subject's whole blood sample; (d) an isotonic depolarizing solution for depolarizing the labeled white blood cells: and (e) instructional material describing labeling white blood cells contained within the whole blood sample with the white blood cell-specific antibody conjugated to a label; depolarizing the labeled white blood cells with the isotonic depolarizing solution; contacting the labeled white blood cells with the dye and the P2X7 agonist in an amount sufficient to activate nucleotide receptor P2X7 pore activity; deactivating nucleotide receptor P2X7 pore activity; and analyzing dye uptake in the labeled white blood cells whereby nucleotide receptor P2X7 pore activity is quantified by the amount of dye taken up in labeled white blood cells treated with the P2X7 agonist relative to labeled white blood cells in the absence of said P2X7 agonist.