This ELISA kit is designed to assay type II collagen antibodies in mouse serum. The microtiter strips provided in the kit have been coated with chicken type II collagen. To reduce non-specific binding, we have incorporated unique blocking agents which inhibit the hydrophobic binding of immunoreactive serum components in sample specimens onto plastic surfaces and thus reduce the background levels.
Collagen is an inert, rigid protein found predominantly in skin, ligaments, bones and teeth. Its most distinctive attribute, essential to a transmitter of mechanical force, is inelasticity. Its fundamental structural unit is tropo-collagen, a molecular rod about 2600Å in length and 15Å in diameter and 300,000 molecular weight. In tendons these macromolecules, grouped as collagen fibrils, run parallel to the axis. In skin the fibrils are interlaced and branched.
Heterologous type II collagen is widely used for inducing arthritis in susceptible animals. The serum antibodies in collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) mice are highly specific to the type II collagen used for immunization, however there is significant crossreactivity with other species of type II collagen including mouse type II collagen.
This ELISA kit contains enough material to run two partial plates on two separate occasions (see assay procedure).
Storage and Stability:Store all components at -20°C. Stable for 6 months after receipt. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.
