QuicKey Pro Mouse IL-18 (Interleukin 18) ELISA Kit (E-OSEL-M0020)

This ELISA kit uses the Sandwich-ELISA principle. The micro ELISA plate provided in this kit has been pre-coated with an antibody specific to Mouse IL-18. Samples (or Standards) and Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) linked antibody specific for Mouse IL-18 are added to the micro ELISA plate wells. Mouse IL-18 in samples (or standards) combines with the coated antibody and HRP linked detection antibody special to Mouse IL-18.Excess conjugate and unbound sample or standard are washed from the plate. The substrate solution is added to each well. The enzyme-substrate reaction is terminated by the addition of stop solution and the color turns yellow. The optical density (OD) is measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 450 nm ± 2 nm. The OD value is proportional to the concentration of Mouse IL-18. The concentration of Mouse IL-18 in the samples is then determined by comparing the OD of the samples to the standard curve.

Interleukin-18 (L-18) is a cytokine that belongs to the IL-1 superfamily and is produced by macrophages and other cells. IL-18 works by binding to the interleukin-18 receptor, and together with IL-12 it induces cell-mediated immunity following infection with microbial products like lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After stimulation with IL-18, natural killer (NK) cells and certain T cells release another important cytokine called interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or type II interferon that plays an important role in activating the macrophages or other cells. The combination of this cytokine and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL-4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production, and enhance IgG2a production in B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine, and thus negatively regulate its biological activity.