Arrays for Th17 Are Released

., the Protein Array Pioneer Company, announced the release of several antibody array products that can detect up to 34 proteins related to the recently discovered Th17 lineage of immune cells.

RayBiotech's antibody arrays feature the same high sensitivity and specificity associated with ELISA, but require no more specialized equipment than is found in most biomedical research labs. In addition, antibody arrays yield much more information using the same sample volume as an ELISA test, helping researchers save valuable time and money as well as precious samples.

“Th17 cells play a major role in many disease processes," Dr. Ray Huang, founder and president of RayBiotech said, in a press release, “and identifying the key molecules of the development and functions of Th17 cells can be tedious. With the introduction of our Th17 antibody arrays, we are simplifying this process with an assay that is easy-to-use, affordable, and accessible to nearly any researcher.”

T helper cells are known to activate and direct other immune cells by the release of cell-cell signaling proteins. Th17 cells have been linked to the immune response to fungal and certain bacterial infections, as well being associated with several autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis.

The name Th17 refers to their release of a protein called Interleukin 17 (or IL-17). However, many other signaling proteins are involved in the development and function of Th17 cells. As such, understanding these complex processes requires the detection of multiple cytokines. Previously, detection of these proteins could be detected and studied one at a time, taking days or weeks to complete the needed tests.

Regarding the significance of RayBiotech's releasing its Th17 arrays, Dr. Huang said, in a press release: “They will greatly enhance and accelerate elucidation of the role of Th17 cells in both normal immune responses and disease-specific processes.”

RayBiotech, Inc., introduced the first commercially available cytokine antibody array in 2001. Since then, RayBiotech array products have been featured in hundreds of publications, including some in top-tier journals: Nature, Nature Medicine, Cell, Lancet, PNAS (USA), and many others. Offering more antibody array choices than any of its competitors, RayBiotech is a leader in the development of protein array technologies. A spin-off from Emory University's School of Medicine, RayBiotech is privately owned, with headquarters in metropolitan Atlanta.

Source: RayBiotech-- What does the release of the new arrays mean for the study and treatment of future immune disease? Leave a comment.