It is stated in MLR assay protocol that the amount of activating stimulus /agent required has to be determined by titration (dose-response assay). What is the rational for titrating? If we would want maximal response then should't we just add the highest concentration available for the agent? Why go through the extra step to titrate?
Hi, Clarence.
Because you often overstimulate or sometimes kill them if you don't know the activities of activating agents. Thus you are measuring the activities of certain amount of added activating agents, that is titration. Without knowing it you have no idea what is the activities of your agents. It could be explained by 'threshold concentration'. Cell would not respond until their receptors on cell surfaces are occupied by the agents (ligands). Then there will be a range of agents concentration showing the same responses. Within this range of concentrations, your added higher concentration is unnecessary to cell's responses. Probably surplus agents tend to aggregates and may be interrupting proper recptor-ligand interactions, leading to distorted measurement. It is the 'power value' of agent to induce certain responses.
Regards.
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