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MSD Macrophage, Myeloid & Interferon Biomarker Panel Services

MSD U-PLEX · M1/M2 Combo · Custom IFN

Macrophage Polarization · Myeloid Biology · Interferon

MSD Macrophage M1/M2 Polarization Panel & Type I/II/III Interferon Assay

Measure macrophage polarization (M1 pro-inflammatory, M2 anti-inflammatory) and interferon subtypes (Type I/II/III) using MSD pre-configured U-PLEX Macrophage Combo panels and custom interferon configurations — all on one electrochemiluminescence platform from 25 µL serum, plasma, or cell culture supernatant.

M1 Macrophages (9-plex): IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-23, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, TNF-α — the classical pro-inflammatory polarization panel. M2 Macrophages (7-plex): IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, M-CSF, MDC, TARC, Eotaxin-2 — the alternative/anti-inflammatory panel. Type I Interferons: IFN-α2a, IFN-β. Type II: IFN-γ — the canonical M1-polarizing cytokine. Type III: IFN-λ1/IL-29, IFN-λ2/IL-28A. MSD U-PLEX measures M1, M2, and IFN markers simultaneously — providing the integrated myeloid-cytokine activation profile from a single 25 µL sample per panel.

Inquire About Macrophage Panels View Panel Configurations

Macrophage Polarization & Interferon Biology

Macrophages exist along a dynamic polarization continuum from classically activated (M1, driven by IFN-γ and LPS, producing IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12) to alternatively activated (M2, driven by IL-4 and IL-13, producing IL-10, M-CSF, TARC, MDC). This M1↔M2 axis is central to tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) biology, infectious disease pathogenesis, wound healing, and autoimmune tissue damage. Interferons are the master regulators: IFN-γ drives M1 polarization; Type I IFNs modulate innate and adaptive immunity; Type III IFNs mediate mucosal antiviral defense. MSD U-PLEX pre-configured Macrophage M1 and M2 Combo panels — combined with custom interferon configurations — enable simultaneous quantification of the key cytokines, chemokines, and interferons driving myeloid cell biology, all from 25 µL per panel.

What MSD U-PLEX Measures
M1 Macrophage Polarization (9-plex, Pre-Configured): IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-23, IP-10/CXCL10, MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α/CCL3 — the classical pro-inflammatory polarization markers.
M2 Macrophage Polarization (7-plex, Pre-Configured): IL-4, IL-13, IL-10, M-CSF, MDC/CCL22, TARC/CCL17, Eotaxin-2/CCL24 — the alternative/anti-inflammatory panel.
Interferon Subtypes (Custom U-PLEX): Type I — IFN-α2a, IFN-β. Type II — IFN-γ. Type III — IFN-λ1/IL-29, IFN-λ2/IL-28A. IP-10 serves as an in vivo IFN activity reporter.

Panel Configurations

Panel	Plex	Key Biomarkers	Species	Configuration
U-PLEX Macrophage M1 Combo 1	9	IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-23, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, TNF-α	Human	Pre-configured
U-PLEX Macrophage M2 Combo 1	7	Eotaxin-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, M-CSF, MDC, TARC	Human	Pre-configured
Custom Type I/II/III IFN Panel	2–6	IFN-α2a, IFN-β, IFN-γ, IFN-λ1 (IL-29), IFN-λ2 (IL-28A), IP-10	Human, Mouse	U-PLEX Custom
Mouse Macrophage 5-Plex (M2)	5	IL-10, IL-13, IL-4, MDC, TARC	Mouse	Available
Mouse Macrophage 9-Plex (M1)	9	IL-15, IL-23, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12p70, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α	Mouse	Available
Mouse IFN 3-Plex / Human IFN 4-Plex	3–4	IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ (± IFN-λ1)	Human, Mouse	Available

M1 and M2 Combo panels are pre-configured U-PLEX products with validated antibody pairs. M1 (25 µL) + M2 (25 µL) + IFN custom (25 µL) = 75 µL total. All services are for research use only.

Electrochemiluminescence for Macrophage & Interferon Profiling

Advantages for Myeloid Biology

Pre-configured M1/M2 panels: validated antibody pairs, ready to use — start measuring macrophage polarization immediately from cell cultures or biofluids.
M1/M2 ratio from the same well: key metrics are ratios — IL-12/IL-10, TNF-α/IL-10. Measuring paired M1 and M2 markers in the same well eliminates cross-well CV that degrades ratio precision.
Interferon subtypes alongside macrophage markers: IFN-γ drives M1 polarization; Type I IFNs modulate antigen presentation. Measuring both captures regulatory signals driving polarization, not just the output.
25 µL per panel — serial sampling: enables daily M1/M2/IFN sampling from the same culture without depleting media. 75 µL plasma supports all three panels per timepoint in vivo.

Assay Specifications

TechnologyMSD U-PLEX

M1 Panel9-plex, Pre-configured

M2 Panel7-plex, Pre-configured

IFN PanelCustom 2-6 plex

Sample Volume25 µL per panel

Sample TypesSerum, EDTA Plasma, Cell Supernatant

Dynamic RangeUp to 4–5 logs per analyte

Throughput40 samples/plate (duplicate)

M1/M2 vs Alternative Platforms

Platform comparison for macrophage profiling

Pre-configured M1/M2MSD

Within-Well RatiosMSD

Custom IFN FlexibilityMSD

Sample (3 panels)MSD (75 µL)

Plex Count FlexibilityLuminex

MSD U-PLEX offers the only pre-configured M1/M2 macrophage panels. For research use only.

Service Details

Service Package

Item	Full Service	Notes
M1 Panel (9-plex)	Pre-configured	IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-23, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, TNF-α
M2 Panel (7-plex)	Pre-configured	IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, M-CSF, MDC, TARC, Eotaxin-2
IFN Custom Panel	Custom build	Select IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ, IFN-λ1/2, IP-10
Standard Curves	Per-analyte calibrators	Recombinant standards per panel
Data Report	Excel + PDF	M1/M2 ratios, IFN subtype data

For Research Use Only. Not for diagnostic procedures.

In Vitro Macrophage Polarization Protocol

Typical workflow for generating M1/M2 macrophages from monocytes and tracking polarization with MSD U-PLEX panels.

Differentiate

Day 0–6: M-CSF (50 ng/mL) → M0 macrophages. Collect supernatant at Day 3, 6 for baseline M0 cytokine profile.

Polarize

Day 6: IFN-γ (20 ng/mL) + LPS (100 ng/mL) → M1. IL-4 (20 ng/mL) + IL-13 (20 ng/mL) → M2. Keep M0 control well.

Sample & Profile

Collect supernatant at 6h, 24h, 48h post-polarization. 25 µL per panel/timepoint for M1, M2, and IFN.

Always include M0 baseline. M1/M2 ratios normalized to M0 are more reproducible. For research use only.

Macrophage Profiling: MSD U-PLEX vs Luminex vs ELISA

Feature	MSD U-PLEX	Luminex xMAP	Single-Analyte ELISA
Dedicated M1/M2 Panels	Yes — pre-configured M1 (9-plex) + M2 (7-plex)	No dedicated macrophage panel	N/A — one analyte per well
M1/M2 Ratio Precision	Within-well — superior ratio accuracy	Cross-bead — CV degrades ratio	Cross-well — worst ratio precision
Custom IFN Add-On	Yes — add IFN-α/β/γ/λ to same platform	Yes — from cytokine menu	Separate kits required
Sample (M1+M2+IFN)	75 µL total (3 panels)	~75 µL (single higher-plex)	>1.5 mL for equivalent coverage
Cell Supernatant Compatibility	Low matrix interference	Moderate — serum matrix effects	Variable — kit-dependent

Your Macrophage & Interferon Data Package

M1/M2 polarization report — all 16 M1 + M2 analyte concentrations with per-analyte QC metrics (Excel + PDF)
Derived polarization ratios — TNF-α/IL-10, IL-12/IL-10, IL-6/IL-10 (pro- vs. anti-inflammatory balance)
Interferon subtype data — Type I (IFN-α, IFN-β), Type II (IFN-γ), Type III (IFN-λ) concentrations with IP-10 as IFN activity reporter
M1 and M2 per-spot signal data — individual standard curve fits, plate layouts, and detection antibody specifications for each panel
Methods summary — M1/M2 Combo panel compositions, polarization controls, and per-analyte QC thresholds for macrophage studies

Advantages for Macrophage Polarization Research

Only platform with pre-configured M1/M2 polarization panels: validated antibody pairs, no cross-reactivity troubleshooting. Ready to run on day one.
Within-well M1/M2 ratio measurement: polarization is defined by ratios, not single-marker levels. Same-well measurement eliminates cross-well CV — critical for detecting subtle TAM polarization shifts.
Integrated interferon profiling on the same platform: IFN-γ is itself an M1-polarizing cytokine — measuring it alongside M1/M2 output markers closes the loop from regulatory signal to functional polarization.
Serial sampling from 25 µL — track polarization kinetics: M1→M2 transition is dynamic. 25 µL per panel enables daily sampling from the same culture or serial plasma timepoints in vivo.
Human + mouse panels — translational macrophage biology: human pre-configured Combos + mouse panels support translational myeloid research on the same platform.

Macrophage & Interferon Panel FAQ

Should I use the pre-configured M1/M2 Combos or build a custom panel?

The pre-configured M1 (9-plex) and M2 (7-plex) Combos are validated with optimized antibody pairs. For standard macrophage polarization research, the Combos provide core markers with zero development time. Use custom U-PLEX for combining M1+M2 markers into one well, adding non-standard markers, or including interferon subtypes. For research use only.

What does the M1/M2 ratio mean — and which ratio should I track?

Macrophage polarization exists along a continuum. TNF-α/IL-10 reflects pro- vs. anti-inflammatory balance. IL-12/IL-10 captures Th1-polarizing capacity. IL-6/IL-10 indicates acute-phase vs. anti-inflammatory. MCP-1/MDC reflects M1 vs. M2 chemotactic signature. MSD within-well measurement provides superior ratio precision. For research use only.

Why include interferon subtypes alongside macrophage markers?

IFN-γ is the canonical M1-polarizing cytokine. Type I IFNs are produced by macrophages upon viral sensing. Type III IFNs act on mucosal myeloid cells. Measuring interferons and macrophage markers together captures both regulatory signals and functional output from the same sample. For research use only.

Can these panels be used for TAM research?

Yes. TAMs display M2-skewed phenotype that promotes tumor growth. The panels measure M2→M1 repolarization after anti-CSF-1R, CD40 agonist, or STING agonist treatment. Applicable to in vitro models, drug response biomarkers, tumor tissue homogenates, and in vivo mouse models. For research use only.

What sample types and preparation are recommended?

Cell culture supernatant: centrifuge 300×g 5min, aliquot immediately. EDTA plasma preferred for in vivo samples. Store at -80°C. Include M0 baseline and M1 (IFN-γ+LPS) and M2 (IL-4+IL-13) positive controls. Type I IFNs peak at 2-6h post-stimulation. For research use only.

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