Description
Introduction: CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) is a cysteine-rich, matrix-associated, heparin-binding protein. In vitro, CTGF mirrors some of the effects of TGF beta on skin fibroblasts, such as stimulation of extracellular matrix production, chemotaxis, proliferation and integrin expression. CTGF can promote endothelial cell growth, migration, adhesion and survival and is thus implicated in endothelial cell function and angiogenesis. CTGF gene expression had been demonstrated in human trabecular meshwork cells, ciliary body, retinal vascular endothelial cells, proliferative vitreoretinopathy membranes, choroidal neovascular membranes, cataractous plaque, corneal scars, tear fluid, and pterygia. CTGF binds to perlecan, a proteoglycan which has been localised in synovium, cartilage and numerous other tissues. CTGF has been implicated in extracellular matrix remodelling in wound healing, scleroderma and other fibrotic processes, as it is capable of upregulating both matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs). Therefore, CTGF has the potential to activate both the synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix.
Principle of the Assay: The microtiter plate provided in this kit has been pre-coated with an antibody specific to CTGF. Standards or samples are then added to the appropriate microtiter plate wells with a biotin-conjugated antibody preparation specific for CTGF 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 CTGF, 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 CTGF in the samples is then determined by comparing the O.D. of the samples to the standard curve