Establishment of MTS and XTT colorimetric assay for determination of lymphocytic proliferation

Aim To develop a new method for assessing lymphocytic proliferation effect by new tetrazolium salt MTS and XTT colorimetric assays. Methods Murine splenic lymphocyte density and proliferation were evaluated by MTS, XTT combined PMS respectively. The optimal experimental conditions were selected and the two methods were compared with 3H TdR incorporation and MTT assays. Results There was a good correlativity between optical absorbance(A) value and cell densities ranged 0.5～4×109/L when assaying murine splenic lymphocyte proliferation by MTS and XTT colorimetric assays. The optimal cell density, reactive time and final PMS concentration were 2×109/L, 6 h and 1×10 4mol/L,respectively. The results of two colometric assays corresponded with that of 3H TdR incorporation and the two new methods were more sensitive than MTT assay. Conclusion MTS and XTT colorimetric assay may be well used to assess lymphocytic proliferation effect.