Description
Introduction: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a protein which in humans is encoded by the MIF gene. This gene reportedly may encode a lymphokine that may be involved in cell-mediated immunity, immunoregulation, and inflammation. It has been speculated that MIF plays a role in the regulation of macrophage function in host defense through the suppression of anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids. This lymphokine and the JAB1 protein might form a complex in the cytosol near the peripheral plasma membrane, which may possibly indicate a role in integrin signaling pathways. It has also been shown to induce changes in the heart during sepsis. However, the biological mechanism and significance of MIF remains unknown.
Principle of the Assay: The microtiter plate provided in this kit has been pre-coated with an antibody specific to MIF. Standards or samples are then added to the appropriate microtiter plate wells with a biotin-conjugated antibody preparation specific for MIF 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 MIF, 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 MIF in the samples is then determined by comparing the O.D. of the samples to the standard curve