Human IL-1 Receptor Anatgonist (IL-1RA) FlowCytomix Simplex by eBioscience

This FlowCytomix Simplex Kit is designed for the measurement of Human IL-1RA (IL-1 Receptor Antagonist) in an immunoassay analyzed on a flow cytometer. Together with the FlowCytomix Human Basic Kit (cat. BMS8420FF), this kit can be used to detect IL-1RA alone or can be multiplexed with other Simplex Kits to measure a variety of analytes. This kit contains bead population A11 . Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL- 1RA) is a protein that appears to be related to the IL-1 family based on its similarities in amino acid sequence to both IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha similarities in gene structure and collective gene localization. The human gene contains four exons and maps to chromosome 2q13-14. One exon in the vicinity of the two genes, encoding the two molecular forms of IL-1. IL-1 induces the release of prostaglandins, nitric oxide and the synthesis of chemokines that promote cells of the immune system to the site of infection. IL-1 RA binds to the IL-1 receptor and blocks IL-1 action through competitive inhibition. The binding of IL-1RA does not initiate such events because IL-1RA does not induce a signal on its own. Thesecretion of IL-1RA is apparently mediated by a classical signal sequence present at the N terminus of the protein that is encoded in the first exon of the IL- 1RA gene. Neither IL-1 alpha nor IL-1 beta possess such a sequence. The lack of homology between IL-1RA and IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta near the N terminus may provide an explanation for the biosynthetic and functional differences between IL-1RA and the two IL-1 proteins. The production of IL-1RA is stimulated by many substances including adherent IgG, other cytokines, and bacterial or viral components. Triggering IL-1 production through cytokines like IL-13, IL-6, IL-4, IFN gamma, GM-CSF and TGF beta apparently triggers IL-1RA synthesis through elevated levels of IL-1. A number of cell types express IL-1RA, including monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, Sertoli cells, hepatocytes, adipocytes, synovial fibroblasts, mast cells, pancreatic cells and intestinal epithelial cells. IL-1RA is an important natural anti-inflammatory protein that when missing or just available in inadequate amounts plays a key role in several pathological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, osteomyelitis, periostitis and pustulosis. A polymorphism of the IL -1RN gene is reported to be associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and gastric cancer. In healthy tissue sufficient interleukin-1-receptor antagonist is produced to hold interleukin-1-mediated inflammation at bay. In cases of uncontrolled inflammation, there is an insufficient amount of IL-1RA to regulate the activity of interleukin-1. IL1RA acts as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory substance and may be useful also in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.