Anti-inflammatory DEL-1 in Mouse Arthritis Models
DEL-1 is a protein known to regulate inflammatory cell recruitment and acts as an anti-inflammatory. The research group tested the effects of DEL-1 in collagen and antibody induced arthritis models. The group found that there was a significant difference in arthritis outcome between DEL-1 overexpression (animals are protected from arthritis) to control mice. In addition, if the mice are deficient from DEL-1, arthritis is exacerbated. DEL-1 could be an important protein for therapeutic treatment of arthritis. Read More
Optical Molecular Imaging Inflammation in Mouse CAIA Model
There is currently a need for a cost-effective imaging technique to aid in the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, a crucial factor in improving patient outcomes. Optical molecular imaging (OMI) is currently used to image tumors for diagnostic and surgical applications, but can be adapted for imaging cellular and sub-cellular processes that are a part of other diseases. This article reviews how researchers at the University of Michigan used OMI to image inflammation in the mouse CAIA model, with promising implications for clinical usage. Read More
New Product: MTT Cell Proliferation and Viability Assay Kit
Since its creation in 1983 (1), the MTT assay has been widely used for assaying cell viability, proliferation, and measuring the cytotoxicity of test compounds. MTT is one of several tetrazolium salts that have been used for assessing metabolic activity of cells, however it is the only one that is positively charged and therefore can readily be taken up by... Read More
Introduction to Exosomes: Origin, Characteristics, and Isolation
A brief overview discussing the differences between exosomes and other extracellular vesicles, therapeutic potential of exosomes, and the difficulties in purifying exosomes. Read More
New Product Alert: CD63, CD9, PD-1, PD-L1 Monoclonal Antibodies
Nearly 35 years ago when endosomal-derived extracellular vesicles were first identified in reticulocytes1, they were thought to essentially be garbage cans for the cell; removing cellular debris and marking it for degradation by lysosomes. After this discovery, these vesicles were identified in nearly all mammalian cell types, as well as in some eukaryotes and prokaryotes. However, the function of these molecular vehicles was... Read More
New Product Alert: Mouse Anti-HDM IgE Antibody Assay Kit
A 2013 report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 39.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma in their lifetimes, with the prevalence of asthma having increased by 28% from 2001-20111. Furthermore, a 2011 report from the National Center for Health Statistics estimated that in 2007 alone, asthma accounted for $56 billion dollars (in 2009 dollars)... Read More