Human Total IL-18/IL-1F4 Quantikine ELISA Kit Summary

Product Summary

The Quantikine® Human Total IL-18/IL-1F4 Immunoassay is a 4.0 hour solid-phase ELISA designed to measure human IL-18 in cell culture supernates, serum, plasma, saliva, and urine. It contains E. coli-expressed recombinant human IL-18 and has been shown to accurately quantitate the recombinant factor free and in complex with IL-18 BPa. Results obtained using natural human IL-18 showed linear curves that were parallel to the standard curves obtained using the Quantikine® kit standards. These results indicate that this kit can be used to determine relative mass values for natural human IL-18.

Preparation and Storage

Background: IL-18/IL-1F4

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine in the IL-1 family that exerts distinct immune effects depending on the local cytokine environment. It is expressed as a 24 kDa precursor by endothelial and epithelial cells, keratinocytes, gamma δT cells, and phagocytes. The precursor is activated intracellularly by Caspase-1 mediated proteolysis to release the 17 kDa mature cytokine. The precursor can also be released by necrotic cells for extracellular cleavage by multiple proteases. IL-18 activation is induced by infection or tissue damage and contributes to disease pathology in chronic inflammation (1-3). IL-18 binds to the widely expressed IL-18 R alpha which recruits IL-18 R beta to form the signaling receptor complex (4, 5). Its bioactivity is negatively regulated by interactions with IL-18 binding proteins and virally encoded IL-18BP homologs (6). In the presence of IL-12 or IL-15, IL-18 enhances anti-viral Th1 immune responses by inducing IFN-gamma production and the cytolytic activity of CD8+ T cells and NK cells (7, 8). In the absence of IL-12 or IL-15, however, IL-18 promotes production of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 by CD4+ T cells and basophils (9, 10). In the presence of IL-1 beta or IL-23, IL-18 induces the antigen independent production of IL-17 by gamma δ T cells and CD4+ T cells (11). IL-18 also promotes myeloid dendritic cell maturation and triggers neutrophil respiratory burst (12, 13). In cancer, IL-18 exhibits diverse activities including enhancing anti-tumor immunity, inhibiting or promoting angiogenesis, and promoting tumor cell metastasis (14). Mature human IL-18 shares approximately 63% amino acid sequence identity with mouse and rat IL-18 (15). Alternative splicing in human ovarian cancer generates an isoform that is resistant to Caspase-1 activation (16). A cell surface form can be expressed on M-CSF induced macrophages and released in response to bacterial endotoxin (17).

Assay Procedure

Refer to the product datasheet for the complete assay procedure.

Bring all reagents and samples to room temperature before use. It is recommended that all samples, standards, and controls be assayed in duplicate.

1.     Prepare all reagents, standard dilutions, and samples as directed in the product insert.

2.     Remove excess microplate strips from the plate frame, return them to the foil pouch containing the desiccant pack, and reseal.

3.     Add 50 μL of Assay Diluent to each well.

4.     Add 50 μL of Standard, control, or sample to each well. Cover with a plate sealer, and incubate at room temperature for 2 hours.

5.     Aspirate each well and wash, repeating the process 4 times for a total of 5 washes.

6.     Add 100 μL of Conjugate to each well. Cover with a new plate sealer, and incubate at room temperature for 2 hours.

7.     Aspirate and wash 5 times.

8.     Add 100 μL Substrate Solution to each well.

9.     Add 100 μL of Stop Solution to each well. Read at 450 nm within 30 minutes. Set wavelength correction to 540 nm or 570 nm.