Featured Products - November 2011

ELISA Kit for Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF)

CTGF is a cysteine-rich, matrix-associated, heparin-binding protein. In vitro, CTGF mirrors some of the effects of TGF beta on skin fibroblasts, such as stimulation of extracellular matrix production, chemotaxis, proliferation and integrin expression. CTGF can promote endothelial cell growth, migration, adhesion and survival and is thus implicated in endothelial cell function and angiogenesis.

CTGF binds to perlecan, a proteoglycan which has been localised in synovium, cartilage and numerous other tissues. CTGF has been implicated in extracellular matrix remodelling in wound healing, scleroderma and other fibrotic processes, as it is capable of up regulating both matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors.

Product Code: E90010Hu

» Download the manual here.

PrepEase® RNA Purification

USB offers a comprehensive line of PrepEase® RNA purification products for total RNA, mRNA and RNA clean-up. These reliable products provide high purity RNA suitable for sensitive downstream applications such as qRT-PCR, northern blotting, and microarray analysus. PrepEase® Kits are capable fo isolating RNA from samples including mammalian cells and tissues, yeast, bacteria, and plant cells. USB provides a complete solution for highly sensitive expression analysis with HotStart-IT® qRT-PCR reagents and PrepEase® RNA purification products.

PrepEase® RNA Spin Kit – for purification of total RNA from mammalian cells and tissues, bacteria and yeast.

Product Codes: USB-78765 (10 preps); USB-78766 (50 preps); USB-78767 (250 preps)

PrepEase® Plant RNA Spin Kit – for purification of total RNA from plant cells and filamentous fungi.

Product Codes: USB-78770 (20 preps), USB-78771 (50 preps)

PrepEase® RNA SVE Spin Kit – for purification of concentrated total RNA from small starting samples (<5x105 cells or < 5mg tissue) with a Small Volume Elution as little as 5ul.

Product Codes: USB-78772 (10 preps); USB-78773 (50 preps); USB-78774 (250 preps)

Other PrepEase® products available:

• PrepEase® RNA/Protein Spin Kit
• PrepEase® RNA Clean-Up Kit
• PrepEase® mRNA MiniSpin Kit
• PrepEase® Total RNA 96-well Plate Kit

suPARnostic® - a Unique Prognostic Biomarker

suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activating receptor) is a protein in the blood. The plasma level of suPAR reflects immune activation and is increased in several infectious diseases. High suPAR levels are associated with increased inflammation, disease progression and fatal outcome.

Measuring suPAR levels can serve as a marker to monitor disease progression and treatment.

suPARnostic® is a Risk Status Marker, providing additional information regarding a patient, and acting as a master alarm for a patient’s risk status. An elevated suPARnostic® level reflects a developing critical condition.

suPAR levels can be measured easily with the novel suPARnostic® ELISA kit. This is a CE/IVD approved kit providing fast and reproducible results. By measuring an individual’s suPARnostic® level, the prognosis can be supported, the need for therapy is indicated and the effect of treatment can be monitored.

The suPARnostic® ELISA Assay is a simplified double monoclonal antibody sandwich assay where samples and peroxidase-conjugated anti-suPAR are mixed in white microwells prior to incubation in anti-suPAR precoated optically clear microwells. Performing the suPARnostic® ELISA involves two antibodies with high specificity for suPAR. The plasma sample with an unknown amount of suPAR is immobilized on the microwells on the clear microtiter plate and a detection antibody form a complex with suPAR.

Product Code: A001 - suPARnostic® Standard ELISA Assay

Product Code: A002 - suPARnostic® Flex ELISA Assay

Read more about suPARnostic®:

• suPARnostic® Case Studies
• suPARnostic® FAQ
• suPARnostic® Toolbox

Highlights from the MONOSAN Xtra range

Product Code: MONX10334 - CD5 Clone 4C7

CD5 antigen is expressed in 95 per cent of thymocytes and 72 per cent of peripheral blood lymphocytes. In lymph nodes, the main reactivity is observed in T cells. CD5 antigen is expressed by many T cell leukaemias, lymphomas and activated T cells. CD5 antigen is also expressed on a subset of B cells. Reactivity can be observed on occasional cells in B cells of normal lymph nodes, in particular, mantle zones. MONX10334 is recommended for the identification of mantle cell lymphomas. Antibodies to CD5 may prove to be of particular use in the detection of T cell acute lymphocytic leukaemias (T-ALL), some B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemias (B-CLL) as well as B and T cell lymphomas.

Product Code: MONX10353 - CD10 Clone 56C6

Recommended for the research of small B-cell lymphomas and the subtyping of lymphoblastic leukemias.

Product Code: MONX10110 - Estrogen Receptor and Progesteron Receptor (duo pack)

Clones 6F11 & 16 Clone 6F11 is recommended for determining the estrogen receptor alpha status of breast cancer tissue. Clone 16 is recommended for determining the progesterone receptor alpha status of breast cancer tissue. A and B forms are detected in Western blotting procedures but only the A form is detected in immunohistochemical procedures.

Product Code: MONX10584- TTF-1 Clone SPT24

Recommended for use in the classification of tumors of the thyroid and lung.

Product Code: MONX10221 - c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, Clone CB11

Specific binding has been demonstrated by immunoprecipitation with c-erbB-2 oncoprotein SKBr3 cells. MONX10221 is recommended for determining the c-erbB-2 oncoprotein status of breast and bladder cancers.

Product Code: MONX10320 - CD3 Clone PS1

Recommended to be used as part of a panel of antibodies to indicate T cell phenotype in lymphoproliferative disorders.

HSV1-G and HSV2-G (Herpes Simplex Virus types 1 and 2) antibody test systems from MBL

The MBL-BION HSV1-G and HSV2-G (Herpes Simplex Virus types 1 or 2) antibody test systems are indirect fluorescent antibody assays for the qualitative and/or semi-quantitative determination of HSV IgG antibodies in human serum. They are intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of primary infection, reinfection or reactivation of the latent virus, and also as a determination of immunological experience with HSV.

The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay methods used in these test systems are carried out in two basic reaction steps:

 Step 1 - Human serum is reacted with the antigen substrate. Antibodies, if present, bind to the antigen forming stable antigen-antibody complexes. If no antibodies are present, the complexes are not formed and serum components will be washed away.

 Step 2 - Fluorescein labelled antihuman IgG antibody is added to the reaction site which binds with the complexes formed in step one. This results in a positive reaction of bright apple-green fluorescence when viewed with a fluorescence microscope. If no complexes are formed in step one, the fluorescein labelled antibody is washed away, exhibiting a negative result.

The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay method is a solid phase immunoassay and has an advantage over other methods of HSV antibody detection in that it is sensitive and it is able to differentiate between the various antibody classes.

Kits and Kit Components

• HSV-1 IgG Antibody 120 Test Kit. Product Code: HS1G-120
• HSV-2 IgG Antibody 120 Test Kit. Product Code: HS2G-120
• HSV-1 Substrate Slide, twelve wells. Product Code: HS1-3012
• HSV-2 Substrate Slide, twelve wells. Product Code: HS2-4012
• HSV IgG Positive Control Serum, 0.5 ml. Product Code: HSG-3520
• HSV Negative Control Serum, 0.5 ml. Product Code: HSN-3510
• Conjugate, IgG with Counterstain, 3.5 ml. Product Code: CCG-9972
• Mounting Medium, 3.5 ml. Product Code: MM-9985
• PBS Packet, One Litre, Product Code: PBS-9990

FETALtrol

Assayed whole blood controls for confident foetal cell detection in maternal circulation

FETALtrol is an assayed, stabilized 3-level control set designed to validate and monitor the quality of procedures for the detection of Foeto-maternal haemorrhaging. It is compatible as a control for both manual (KBB) and flow cytometric methods.

Key Benefits of FETALtrol:

1. FETALtrol is CE marked as an IVD according to ISO13485:2003 and has been cleared by the FDA as a haematologic control (IVD) for foetal red cell detection.
2. Eliminates the need to acquire cord blood and prepare 'home brew' controls, saving time and reducing exposure to untested potentially infectious material.
3. Assayed values at three levels serve as both a quality measure for the assay method, as well as a reference material for proper gating.
4. FETALtrol is a stabilized blood product that handles like patient blood samples.

Complimentary sample kits available - limited number. Email: sarah@caltagmedsystems.co.uk to request a kit.

Product Code: FH102 - FETALtrol Sample Kit Pack Size: 25; Complimentary, conditions apply*

Product Code: IQP-370 FT – FETALtrol Pack Size: 50 test kit; £205

Download FETALtrol product information sheet

FETALtrol Production Schedule available on request, please email office@caltagmedsystems.co.uk

*One complimentary kit per department. Limited stock available.

FETALtrol is an in vitro diagnostic reagent composed of D-antigen (Rho) negative human adult erythrocytes, supplemented with D-antigen (Rho) positive human cord blood erythrocytes.

Level 1 (N) - Normal or Negative

Level 2 (L) - Low Positive

Level 3 (H) - High Positive

TransFix® from Cytomark

TransFix® is a preservative solution that maintains cellular integrity while at the same time preserving antigenicity. It can be used to preserve and stabilise body fluids including blood, CSF, bone marrow and fine needle aspirates. TransFix® treated samples are stable for up to 10 days when stored at 40C. TransFix® has been used extensively in the immune monitoring of HIV patients and in immunophenotyping. The launch of 3ml and 10ml vacuum blood collection tubes containing TransFix/EDTA has led to extensive use by clinical research organisations in support of international clinical trials.

Orfao et al (2009) researched the diagnosis of Leptomeningeal Disease and found that in up to 40% of samples cell lysis occurs before the sample can be tested . When stabilised with TransFix® all cell bearing samples can be diagnosed. This led to the conclusion that failure to use a preservative could result in 30% of adverse pathologies not being reported due to cell lysis.

Free samples are available for validation testing - please email office@caltagmedsystems.co.uk for more information.

For more information, publications and resources check out our website.

Orfao, A. et al (2009) ‘Identification of Leptomeningeal Disease in Aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Improved Sensitivity of Flow Cytometry’, Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol. 27, no. 9, 1462-1469

Download this journal here.

» view the range of Transfix products here.

Product Launch - OC-515 and CF Blue

New antibodies conjugated with new fluorochromes and new antibodies premixed derived from Euroflow™.

Main characteristics of OC-515 and CF Blue:

• Compatible with the standard filter sets of cytometers equipped with violet laser
• Emission spectrum is narrow and well separated. Optimal stain index.

Both reagents are under the validation of the Euroflow™ and will be added to the recommended Euroflow™ reagents list. Reagents achieve the necessary quality to use in the study of biological samples such as Human Peripheral Blood or Human Bone Marrow.

OC-515 - an alternative to Pacific Orange

Does not present excitation detected in the 488nm laser, needs minimal compensation requirements

New reagents available conjugated with OC-515:

Product Code: CYT-45OC

CD45OC-515 (clone GA90, isotype IgG2a)

Product Code: CYT-138OC

CD138OC-515 (clone B-A38, isotype IgG1)

CF Blue - an alternative to Pacific Blue

New reagents available conjugated with CF Blue:

Product Code: CYT-3CFB

CD3CF Blue (clone GA60, isotype IgG1)

Product Code: CYT-4CFB

CD4CF Blue (clone H2P/6, isotype IgG2a)

Product Code: CYT-20CFB

CD20CF Blue (clone LT20, isotype IgG2a)

Fastlink Conjugation Kits for One-Step Antibody Labelling

• One-step process
• 30 seconds hands-on time
• Reproducible
• Scalable from µg to mg
• 100% recovery

Abnova have recently brought the Fastlink range of innovative antibody labelling and conjugation kits to the market. These kits allow elimination of the separation steps associated with antibody and protein labelling. The mixture of conjugate stabilizers and enzyme labels are provided in a lyophilized format. Addition of the antibody or protein solution to be labelled is required. Excess reactive chemicals then decay over several hours and by-products are benign in immunoassays.

Hands-on time for antibody conjugation is reduced to 30 seconds, and the performance of these enzyme-conjugated antibodies are as good as, or better than, those prepared with labour-intensive multistep conjugation protocols.

The overall procedure is completed within one vial, so this technique can be used to label small quantities of protein with 100% recovery, significantly minimizing the initial reagent amount and lowering development costs.

In traditional multistep protocols, 30 to 40 parameters need to be tightly controlled, impacting yield and reproducibility. Now, with the one-step labelling technology, researchers need only to control a few conjugation parameters, so the conjugation reactions are also relatively easy to scale up.

Fastlink Labelling Kits Available include:

Enzymes, Fluorescent Proteins, Fluorescent Dyes, Biotin, and Streptavidin

Applications include:

Western-Blotting, Immunohistochemistry, Immunofluorescence, ELISA, FACS, FRET

View the full range of labels available by clicking here.