Invitrogen™ Mouse IL-1 alpha Uncoated ELISA Kit 

Description

The Mouse Interleukin-1alpha (IL-1 α) Uncoated ELISA Kit contains pre-matched antibody pairs, and reagents for performing quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect and quantify protein levels of mouse IL-1 α. Wash Buffer and Stop Solution are needed to complete the ELISA reaction and are sold separately. Principle of the method ELISAs are designed to measure the amount of the target bound between a matched antibody pair. A target-specific antibody is coated to the bottom of the wells of a microplate, which is an overnight process. Samples, standards, or controls are then added into these wells and bind to the immobilized (capture) antibody. A sandwich is formed by the addition of the second (detector) antibody, a substrate solution is added that reacts with the enzyme-antibody-target complex to produce measurable signal. The intensity of this signal is directly proportional to the concentration of target present in the original specimen.

IL-1 alpha (Interleukin-1 alpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine expressed by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. IL-1 alpha is coded by the IL1A gene and signals through two receptors, IL-1RI and IL-1RII, both of which are shared with IL-1 beta. IL1A is located on the q arm on chromosome 2 at position 13. IL-1 alpha plays an important role in innate host defense by triggering the production of other proinflammatory cytokines in target cells and initiating acute-phase responses. IL-1 alpha activity can be moderated by IL-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1RA), a protein produced by many cell types that blocks receptor binding through competitive inhibition. IL-1 alpha is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in various immune responses, inflammatory processes, and hematopoiesis. Further, IL-1 alpha is produced by monocytes and macrophages as a proprotein, which is proteolytically processed and released in response to cell injury and induces apoptosis. The IL1A gene and eight other interleukin 1 family genes form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 2. IL1 alpha regulates the activities of NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinases. IL-1 alpha can stimulate the expression of IL6 and cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2/COX-2), as well as enhance the production of nitric oxide (NO). High levels of IL-1 alpha are associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.