Raw data for "Cross-laboratory evaluation of multiplex bead assays including independent common reference standards for immunological monitoring of observational and interventional human studies"

Manufacturer was the factor which contributed most to the observed variation whereas variation in lots, laboratory or type of detection reagent contributed minimally. Inclusion of a common reference standard allowed us to overcome observed differences in cytokine and chemokine levels between manufacturers. We strongly recommend using multiplex assays from the same manufacturer within a single study and across studies that are likely to compare results in a quantitative manner.

Incorporation of common reference standards, and application of the same analysis method in assays can overcome many analytical biases and thus could bridge comparison of independent immune profiling (e.g. vaccine immunogenicity) studies. With these recommendations taken into account, the multiplex bead assays performed as described here are useful tools in capturing complex human immune-signatures in observational and interventional studies.