ELISA Kits

RAGE, the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts, is a 35kD transmembrane receptor of the immunoglobulin super family. It is also known as “AGER”. AGER gene is mapped to chromosome 6p21.3 by mapping by contiguous cosmids and YAC clones and by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The expression of RAGE is particularly increased in neurons close to deposits of amyloid beta peptide and to neurofibrillary tangles. RAGE has been linked to several chronic diseases, which are thought to result from vascular damage. The pathogenesis is hypothesized to include ligand binding upon which RAGE signals activation of the nuclear factor kappa B(NF-kappaB).

Nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) is also referred to as p75(NTR) because of its ability to bind at low affinity not only to NGF, but also other neurotrophins including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5. The nerve growth factor receptor gene is at human chromosome region 17q12-17q22, distal to the chromosome 17 breakpoint in acute leukemias. The neurotrophin receptor p75(NTR), a tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member expressed in hepatic stellate cells after fibrotic and cirrhotic liver injury in humans, is a regulator of liver repair. In mice, depletion of p75(NTR) exacerbated liver pathology and inhibited hepatocyte proliferation in vivo. In addition, it is showed that neurotrophins activate p75(NTR) to induce apoptosis through the induction of the sphingomyelin (SM) cycle and increased production of ceramide. Overexpression of p75(NTR) is also found to activate the SM pathway.

Granulin, also known as Proepithelin(PEPI) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GRN gene. This gene is mapped to 17q21.31. Granulins are a family of secreted, glycosylated peptides that are cleaved from a single precursor protein with 7.5 repeats of a highly conserved 12-cysteine granulin/epithelin motif. The 88 kDa precursor protein, progranulin, is also called proepithelin and PC cell-derived growth factor. Cleavage of the signal peptide produces mature granulin which can be further cleaved into a variety of active, 6 kDa peptides. These smaller cleavage products are named granulin A, granulin B, granulin C, etc. Epithelins 1 and 2 are synonymous with granulins A and B, respectively. Both the peptides and intact granulin protein regulate cell growth. However, different members of the granulin protein family may act as inhibitors, stimulators, or have dual actions on cell growth. Granulin family members are important in normal development, wound healing, and tumorigenesis.

Chitinase-3-like protein 1, also called CHI3L1 or YKL-40 is a secreted glycoprotein that is approximately 40kDa in size that in humans is encoded by the CHI3L1 gene. This gene is mapped to 1q32.1. Chitinases catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin, which is an abundant glycopolymer found in insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls. The glycoside hydrolase 18 family of chitinases includes eight human family members. This gene encodes a glycoprotein member of the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family. The protein lacks chitinase activity and is secreted by activated macrophages, chondrocytes, neutrophils and synovial cells. The protein is thought to play a role in the process of inflammation and tissue remodeling.

Chitinase-3-like protein 1, also called CHI3L1 or YKL-40 is a secreted glycoprotein that is approximately 40kDa in size that in humans is encoded by the CHI3L1 gene. This gene is mapped to 1q32.1. Chitinases catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin, which is an abundant glycopolymer found in insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls. The glycoside hydrolase 18 family of chitinases includes eight human family members. This gene encodes a glycoprotein member of the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family. The protein lacks chitinase activity and is secreted by activated macrophages, chondrocytes, neutrophils and synovial cells. The protein is thought to play a role in the process of inflammation and tissue remodeling.

Angiopoietin-1 receptor, also called TEK or TIE2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TEK gene. This gene is mapped to 9p21.2. The TEK receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed almost exclusively in endothelial cells in mice, rats, and humans. This receptor possesses a unique extracellular domain containing 2 immunoglobulin-like loops separated by 3 epidermal growth factor-like repeats that are connected to 3 fibronectin type III-like repeats. The ligand for the receptor is angiopoietin-1. Defects in TEK are associated with inherited venous malformations, the TEK signaling pathway appears to be critical for endothelial cell-smooth muscle cell communication in venous morphogenesis. TEK is closely related to the TIE receptor tyrosine kinase.

C Reactive Protein(CRP) is a major acute phase reactant synthesized primarily in the liver hepatocytes. It is composed of 5 identical, 21,500-molecular weight subunits. CRP mediates activities associated with preimmune nonspecific host resistance. CRP shows the strongest association with cardiovascular events. It is detectable on the surface of about 4% of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes. Acute phase reactant CRP is produced in the liver.

C Reactive Protein(CRP) is a major acute phase reactant synthesized primarily in the liver hepatocytes. It is composed of 5 identical, 21,500-molecular weight subunits. CRP mediates activities associated with preimmune nonspecific host resistance. CRP shows the strongest association with cardiovascular events. It is detectable on the surface of about 4% of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes. Acute phase reactant CRP is produced in the liver.

Interleukin-31, also known as IL-31 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL31 gene. This gene is mapped to 12q24.31. IL31, which is made principally by activated Th2-type T cells, interacts with a heterodimeric receptor consisting of IL31RA and OSMR that is constitutively expressed on epithelial cells and keratinocytes. IL31 may be involved in the promotion of allergic skin disorders and in regulating other allergic diseases, such as asthma. IL31 may function in skin immunity.