ELISA Kits

Resistin is an adipose-derived hormone postulated to link adiposity to insulin resistance.1 Type 2 diabetes, characterized by target-tissue resistance to insulin, is epidemic in industrialized societies and is strongly associated with obesity. Adipocytes secrete a unique signalling molecule, which called resistin(for resistance to insulin), that may be the hormone potentially links obesity to diabetes.2 Resistin is overexpressed in human adipose tissue of obese individuals and is likely to modulate insulin sensitivity. Resistin is, therefore, a candidate gene for insulin resistance.3 The standard product used in this kit is human Resistin with the molecular mass of 51-53KDa. The detected Resistin includes zymogen and active enzyme.

Resistin is an adipose-derived hormone postulated to link adiposity to insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes, characterized by target-tissue resistance to insulin, is epidemic in industrialized societies and is strongly associated with obesity. Adipocytes secrete a unique signalling molecule, which called resistin (for resistance to insulin), that may be the hormone potentially links obesity to diabetes. Resistin is overexpressed in mouse adipose tissue of obese individuals and is likely to modulate insulin sensitivity. Resistin is, therefore, a candidate gene for insulin resistance. The standard product used in this kit is mouse Resistin with the molecular mass of 51-53KDa. The detected Resistin includes zymogen and active enzyme.

The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1(TIMP1) is also called erythroid-potentiating activity(EPA). The X-linked gene for human TIMP1 is expressed in some but not all inactive X-containing somatic-cell hybrids, suggesting that this gene is either prone to reactivation or variable in its inactivation.1 Purified EPA specifically stimulates human and murine cells of the erythroid lineage, unlike murine interleukin-3(IL-3) which stimulates precursor cells from all haematopoietic lineages.2 TIMP1 is thought to play a regulatory role in connective tissues by forming inactive complexes with those metalloproteinases that are normally responsible for connective tissue turnover. The human gene encoding TIMP has been mapped to the X chromosome in the region Xp11.1-p11.4.3 The standard product used in this kit is recombinant rat TIMP-1, consisting of 194 amino acids with the molecular mass of 21.5KDa. As a result of glycosylation, the molecular mass is 32-34KDa.

Tumor necrosis factor-beta(TNF-beta), previously called lymphotoxin-alpha(LTA), is a cytokine produced by lymphocytes. TNF-alpha and TNF-beta share 35% identity and 50% homology in the amino acid sequence. The substance LTA mediates a wide variety of inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and antiviral responses. LTA is associated with susceptibility to myocardial infarction, asthma and other diseases. The LTA gene is located on human chromosome 6. The standard product used in this kit is recombinant protein, consisting of 172 amino acids with the molecular mass of 18.8KDa.

Vascular endothelial growth factor C is a VEGF. The human gene encoding it is VEGFC. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the platelet-derived growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor(PDGF/VEGF) family, is active in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and endothelial cell growth and survival, and can also affect the permeability of blood vessels. This secreted protein undergoes a complex proteolytic maturation, generating multiple processed forms which bind and activate VEGFR-3 receptors. Only the fully processed form can bind and activate VEGFR-2 receptors. This protein is structurally and functionally similar to vascular endothelial growth factor D(VEGF-D). The C terminus of VEGFC has cysteine-rich repeat units characteristic of the Balbiani ring 3 protein(BR3P) of the midge Chironomus tentans.1,2 The standard product used in this kit is recombinant human VEGF-C, consisting of 135 amino acids with the molecular mass of 23Kda after glycosylation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR-2) is a VEGF receptor. This receptor, known as kinase insert domain receptor, is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase. It is mapped to 4q12. This gene encodes one of the two receptors of the VEGF. It functions as the main mediator of VEGF-induced endothelial proliferation, survival, migration, tubular morphogenesis and sprouting. The signalling and trafficking of this receptor are regulated by multiple factors, including Rab GTPase, P2Y purine nucleotide receptor, integrin alphaVbeta3, T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase, etc. VEGF receptor 2 and the adherens junction act as shear-stress cotransducers, mediating the transduction of shear-stress signals into vascular endothelial cells. In addition to those, VEGFR-2 is also a positive functional marker defining stem cells and distinguishing them from progenitors.

Amphiregulin, also known as AREG, is a protein that is encoded by the AREG gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the epidermal growth factor family. This gene is mapped to mouse chromosome 5. It is an autocrine growth factor as well as a mitogen for astrocytes, Schwann cells, fibroblasts. Amphiregulin is related to to epidermal growth factor(EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha(TGF-alpha). This protein interacts with the epidermal growth factor receptor to promote the growth of normal epithelial cells. It has been found that transgene integration and subsequent expression of Amphiregulin in basal keratinocytes correlated with a psoriasis-like skin phenotype, and its expression was increased in parallel with typical Th2 cytokines. Amphiregulin is also an important paracrine mediator of estrogen function specifically required for puberty-induced ductal elongation but not for any earlier or later developmental stages, and it can enhance resistance to nematodes.

Interleukin(IL)-18, also called Interferon-gamma-inducing factor(IGIF), augments natural killer(NK) activity in spleen cells. The gene encodes a precursor protein of 192 amino acids and a mature protein of 157 amino acids.1 IL-18 is a recently discovered cytokine that modulates both T helper type 1(Th1) and Th2 responses.2 IL-18 is a potent proinflammatory cytokine with potential atherogenic properties. It is highly expressed in the atherosclerotic plaques compared with control normal arteries and is localized mainly in plaque macrophages.3

Prolactin, also calle PRL, is a protein that in humans is encodes by the PRL gene. This gene is mapped to 6p22.3. This gene encodes the anterior pituitary hormone prolactin. It may play a role in cell survival by suppressing apoptosis, and it is essential for lactation. Prolactin also acts in a cytokine-like manner and as an important regulator of the immune system. Prolactin has important cell cycle related functions as a growth-, differentiating- and anti-apoptotic factor. As a growth factor binding to cytokine like receptors it has also profound influence on hematopoiesis, angiogenesis and is involved in the regulation of blood clotting through several pathways.