TNFSF9, also known as CD137 ligand (CD137L) or 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL), is a crucial member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. It plays a significant role in the immune system, particularly in T-cell activation, proliferation, and survival. The interaction between TNFSF9 and its receptor, TNFRSF9 (also known as CD137 or 4-1BB), is pivotal for effective immune responses against cancer cells, including those in brain cancer.
Role in Brain Cancer: Brain cancers, such as glioblastomas, are known for their aggressive nature and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment in brain cancer is complex, with significant involvement of immune cells. TNFSF9's expression in this context can influence immune cell behavior, contributing to the immune system's ability to target and destroy cancer cells.
ELISA Kits for TNFSF9: ELISA kits are essential tools for quantifying the presence of specific proteins, such as TNFSF9, in biological samples. These kits employ a sandwich ELISA format, which is highly sensitive and specific, suitable for detecting low levels of TNFSF9 in serum, plasma, or tissue homogenates.
Technical Specifications:
- Assay Sensitivity and Range:
- The TNFRSF9 Human ELISA Kit from Invitrogen has a sensitivity of 10 pg/mL and an assay range of 12.29-3000 pg/mL (Thermo Fisher Scientific - US).
- Cusabio's TNFSF9 ELISA kit has a detection range of 18.75 pg/mL to 1200 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 4.7 pg/mL (Cusabio).
- Sample Types and Volumes:
- Typically, the required sample volume is 50 µL for serum or plasma and 100 µL for supernatants (Thermo Fisher Scientific - US).
- The kits include all necessary reagents, such as pre-coated 96-well plates, detection antibodies, HRP conjugate, wash buffers, chromogen solutions, and stop solutions.
- Assay Procedure:
- The assay involves adding samples, standards, or controls to the pre-coated wells. The TNFSF9 present in the samples binds to the immobilized capture antibody.
- A biotinylated detection antibody is then added, which binds to the TNFSF9, forming a "sandwich."
- This complex is detected using an HRP-conjugated secondary antibody, which reacts with a substrate solution to produce a measurable colorimetric signal. The intensity of this signal is proportional to the concentration of TNFSF9 in the sample.
Applications in Brain Cancer Research:
- Biomarker Discovery:
- Measuring TNFSF9 levels in brain cancer patients can help identify its role as a biomarker for disease progression or response to therapy.
- Elevated levels of TNFSF9 might correlate with specific clinical outcomes or immune responses, providing insights into the tumor microenvironment and the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic strategies.
- Therapeutic Targeting:
- Research has shown that manipulating the TNFSF9/TNFRSF9 pathway can enhance anti-tumor immune responses. For instance, activating this pathway can boost the proliferation and survival of cytotoxic T-cells, enhancing their ability to target cancer cells.
- Inhibiting negative regulators or enhancing positive signals within this pathway can be a potential strategy for developing new brain cancer treatments.
- Immune Response Profiling:
- Detailed profiling of TNFSF9 expression can help understand how brain tumors evade immune detection and destruction. This can lead to the development of combination therapies that include immune checkpoint inhibitors and TNFSF9 pathway modulators.
The use of TNFSF9 ELISA kits in brain cancer research offers a robust method for quantifying this protein's levels in various biological samples. By providing precise measurements of TNFSF9, researchers can gain valuable insights into the role of this protein in tumor immunity and its potential as a therapeutic target. This approach is critical for advancing our understanding of brain cancer biology and developing more effective treatments.