IL-13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine produced primarily by activated Th2 cells, and also by mast cells and NK cells. Targeted deletion of IL-13 in mice resulted in impaired Th2 cell development and indicated an important role for IL-13 in the expulsion of gastrointestinal parasites. IL-13 exerts anti-inflammatory effects on monocytes and macrophages and it inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8. IL-13 has also been shown to enhance B cell proliferation and to induce isotype switching, resulting in increased production of IgE. Blocking of IL-13 activity inhibits the pathophysiology of asthma.
The BioGems Rat IL-13 Pre-Coated ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) kit is a solid phase immunoassay specially designed to measure Rat IL-13 with a 96-well strip plate that is pre-coated with mouse monoclonal antibody specific for IL-13. It contains E. coli-expressed recombinant Rat IL-13. The detection antibody is a biotinylated goat polyclonal antibody specific for IL-13. The kit is analytically validated with ready to use reagents.