Functional Assays
Toxin neutralization assays (TNA) evaluate candidate compound’s ability to protect against cytotoxic effects of toxins.
Neutralization of toxin can be measured in vitro by monitoring the reduction in SAg induced interferon-gamma production. IBT Bioservices offers toxin neutralization assays for Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A (SEA), Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB), Staphylococcal Enterotoxin C (SEC)and TSST-1. Additionally, as part of our product line we offer SEK expressed in E. coli that can be used a control for ELISAs, Westerns as well as a mitogen or to activate cytokines in PBMC. Hemolytic toxin neutralization assays exploit hemolytic activity of toxin to provide rapid/sensitive test for neutralization against Hla and non-canonical leucocidin pairs. Leucocidins act as synergistic pairs to induce damage of monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. Gamma-hemolysins also act synergistically but affect both leukocytes and red blood cells.
