IL-4 is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates diverse T and B cell responses including cell proliferation, survival and gene expression. Produced by mast cells, T cells and bone marrow stromal cells, IL-4 regulates the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into helper Th2 cells, characterized by their cytokine-secretion profile that includes secretion of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13, which favor a humoral immune response. Another dominant function of IL-4 is the regulation of immunoglobulin class switching to the IgG1 and IgE isotypes. Excessive IL-4 production by Th2 cells has been associated with elevated IgE production and allergy.
The BioGems Rat IL-4 Pre-Coated ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) kit is a solid phase immunoassay specially designed to measure Rat IL-4 with a 96-well strip plate that is pre-coated with mouse monoclonal antibody specific for IL-4. It contains E. coli-expressed recombinant Rat IL-4. The detection antibody is a biotinylated goat polyclonal antibody specific for IL-4. The kit is analytically validated with ready to use reagents.