Description
Introduction: Interleukin 11 (IL-11) is a multifunctional cytokine first isolated in 1990 from bone marrow-derived stromal cells. It is a key regulator of multiple events in hematopoiesis, most notably the stimulation of megakaryocyte maturation. IL-11 is a member of the IL-6-type cytokine family, distinguished based on their use of a common transmembrane signal transducer. IL-11 has been demonstrated to improve platelet recovery after chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, induce acute phase proteins, modulate antigen-antibody responses, participate in the regulation of bone cell proliferation and differentiation and could be use as a therapeutic for osteoporosis. Besides from lymphopoietic/ hematopoietic and osteotrophic properties, it has functions in many tissues such as brain, gut and testis. IL-11 stimulates the growth of certain lymphocytes and, in the murine model, stimulates an increase in the cortical thickness and strength of long bones.
Principle of the Assay: The microtiter plate provided in this kit has been pre-coated with an antibody specific to IL-11. Standards or samples are then added to the appropriate microtiter plate wells with a biotin-conjugated antibody preparation specific for IL-11 and Avidin conjugated to Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) is added to each microplate well and incubated. Then a TMB (3,3',5,5' tetramethyl-benzidine) substrate solution is added to each well. Only those wells that contain IL-11, biotin-conjugated antibody and enzyme-conjugated Avidin will exhibit a change in color. The enzyme-substrate reaction is terminated by the addition of a sulphuric acid solution and the color change is measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 450 nm +/- 2 nm. The concentration of IL-11 in the samples is then determined by comparing the O.D. of the samples to the standard curve