Cell-based Cytokine Screening Services: Agonist & Antagonist Studies

Our profiling service enables the detection of bioactive effects in your samples.

Cytokine agonist screening

$1,200

ABOUT

Custom Screening to measure cytokine activity and inhibition

With over 25 years of experience, InvivoGen provides an extensive library of cytokine reporter cell lines to evaluate the agonist or antagonist activity of your test samples. We offer sensitive, reproducible cell-based assays helping you uncover the therapeutic potential of your samples in immune regulation, inflammation, and oncology. 

Our cell-based cytokine study service employs engineered HEK293 cells that stably express a cytokine receptor together with an inducible SEAP (secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase) reporter gene. Our proprietary assay design and optimized protocols deliver accurate quantification of cytokine pathway modulation by your compounds of interest. 

Each assay includes essential control conditions to validate results, such as benchmark cytokines, neutralizing antibodies, and receptor-specific control cell lines to confirm both the potency and specificity of the samples.

Skip the lab setup and licensing hurdles - InvivoGen performs the assays for you. 
 

Key features

Reliable Extensive reporter cell library - Broad pathway coverage

Reliable Validated assays - Reproducible, sensitive, and specific

Reliable Optimized tests - No time-consuming setup

Short turnaround time Fast turnaround - Results delivered within 3 - 6 weeks
 

Setting up and validating cytokine reporter assays requires significant time, expertise, and resources. With InvivoGen, you gain immediate access to a validated, reproducible, and broad panel of cytokine assays, saving months of work while ensuring high-quality data. Whether you lack the facilities or simply prefer to focus on discovery, our expert team conducts cytokine bioactivity screening using our validated reporter cell lines. 

All products are for research use only, and not for human or veterinary use.

Cytokine reporter cell library

We offer one of the broadest collections of engineered reporter cell lines available, covering key cytokine families and signaling pathways:

  • Interferons type I, II, III
  • Interleukins
  • Tumor necrosis factor-related cytokines superfamily
  • Growth factors & hormone-like cytokines

Each cell line is engineered from the human embryonic kidney HEK293 cell line and features a stably integrated inducible SEAP reporter system that responds specifically to cytokine receptor activation. Along with our proprietary detection reagent, the SEAP reporter ensures a quantifiable readout.

Access all of our cytokine reporter cell lines or simply contact us.

Service options

InvivoGen offers two flexible screening levels, which can be ordered sequentially or individually, depending on your research needs.

  • Agonist Screening

Multi-dose testing of your sample on selected cytokine receptor cell line. 
Tests are performed in triplicate.

  • Antagonist Screening

Co-treatment assays of positive control cytokine and your sample of choice on selected cytokine receptor cell line. 
Tests are performed in triplicate.

 

Benchmark agonists/antagonist as well as negative control cell line included (if available).

✔ A written report is prepared with data analysis (raw data provided).

✔ All procedures are performed according to strict guidelines.

Confidentiality is guaranteed.

Service step by step

Our streamlined process ensures a smooth and transparent experience from experimental design to data delivery.

Service pathway step by step

1. Reach out to technical support to discuss your project needs. Our team will guide you in selecting the ideal bioassay setup for your therapeutic candidates.

2 .We will provide a price quote based on your selected screening options. Our lab will review the request and follow up with any questions or clarifications.

3. Once your bioassay selection and quote are confirmed, send your samples to us. We’ll handle the preparation and set up your compounds for the screening.

4. Our cytokine agonist and antagonist screening services use engineered HEK293 reporter cell lines in a controlled 96-well format, testing each compound in triplicate to ensure consistency and reliability.

5. After running the assays, your receive the raw data, and our specialists prepare a finalized written report.

6. Our team is available to discuss the results and offer insights on potential next steps in your drug discovery process.

Illustrations on this webpage are created with BioRender.com.

FAQ

Custom agonist/antagonist screening service

Absolutely. Customers may supply their own reference compound or antibodies for inclusion in the assay. We will handle all materials under strict confidentiality and incorporate them into the experimental design as requested.

You will receive complete results as optical density (OD) values at 650 nm in an Excel file, along with the EC50 and/or IC50 for easier interpretation. A summary report with key findings and assay conditions is also provided.

In our experience, a minimum of 7 concentrations are tested with a series of 1:3 dilutions to sufficiently calculate an EC50 or IC50.

The price depends on many factors, such as the screening level, number of compounds and cell lines, concentration ranges, and grade of customization. The indicated prices (see above) cover:

  • Cytokine Agonist Screening: 1 test compound at 11 (+ non-induced) concentrations on one chosen cell line. Negative control cell line and benchmark agonist included if available.
  • Cytokine Antagonist Screening: 1 test compound at 11 concentrations on one chosen cell line and a chosen benchmark agonist at 3 concentrations. Negative control cell line and benchmark  neutralizing compound/antibody included if available.

For more tailored screening options, contact us, share your requirements, and we’ll provide a personalized quote.

All assays are performed by trained specialists using validated reporter cell lines and standardized protocols. Each condition is run in triplicate, and negative control cell lines, as well as benchmark agonists or antagonists are included whenever available to confirm assay performance.

Cell-based data provide a functional perspective on biological activity, capturing the downstream cellular responses that binding assays alone cannot reveal. Such information is essential for selecting compounds with true bioactivity for further therapeutic development, as ELISA or flow cytometry only demonstrate binding—not functional efficacy.

CUSTOMER SERVICE & TECHNICAL SUPPORT

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