Introduction Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine of approximately 26 kDa that is synthesized by T-cells, macrophages, B-cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. IL-6 acts in both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. When released systemically it stimulates the liver to produce proteins, such as C-reactive protein and fibrin, which are responsible for the acute-phase response (1). Besides the systemic acute phase reaction, IL-6 is associated with several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, acute pancreatitis, viral and bacterial meningitis, and Alzheimer’s disease (2, 3). However, IL-6 can also downregulate the inflammatory reaction by suppressing the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF, and protect against lung damage (4) and septic shock (5).
Principal of the Assay The AssayMax Mouse IL-6 ELISA kit is designed for detection of IL-6 in mouse plasma, tissue extracts or cell culture samples. This assay employs a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique that measures IL-6 in 5 hours. A rat monoclonal antibody specific for mouse IL-6 has been pre-coated onto a microplate. IL-6 in standards and samples is sandwiched by the immobilized antibody and a biotinylated polyclonal antibody specific for mouse IL-6, which is recognized by a streptavidin-peroxidase conjugate. All unbound material is then washed away and a peroxidase enzyme substrate is added. The color development is stopped and the intensity of the color is measured.