Inflammation

Inflammation and immune response are two critical physiological processes that are intricately related to each other. They are crucial players of the body’s defense system and act to protect against diverse pathogenic and environmental challenges. Inflammation refers to the localized response of the body’s innate immune system to any injury, irritant, or pathogen that causes tissue damage, while the immune system encompasses both innate and adaptive immune responses that target specific antigens to eliminate them from the body.

In recent years, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have emerged as a promising therapy for inflammatory-driven diseases. mAbs are engineered antibodies that target specific cytokines, receptors, or immune cells to modulate their activity and reduce inflammation. For example, anti-TNF-α mAbs, such as infliximab and adalimumab, have been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis, and have demonstrated significant therapeutic benefits. Another example is anti-IL-17 mAbs, such as secukinumab and ixekizumab, which have been approved for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. The efficacy and safety of these mAb therapies have been extensively researched, with promising results.

Future therapeutic trends for inflammation are focused on developing targeted therapy, such as gene therapy, cell therapy, and small molecule inhibitors. Gene therapy involves introducing genes into the body to modulate cellular activity, while cell therapy involves using modified cells to replace or repair damaged tissues. Small molecule inhibitors target specific inflammatory pathways, such as Janus kinase inhibitors, which block the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Another promising trend is personalized medicine, where the treatment is tailored to the individual’s genetic and epigenetic makeup to optimize efficacy and minimize side effects.

Whilst inflammation plays an essential role in host defense, a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state is a pathological feature of a wide range of chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. This makes inflammation pathway studies an important area of research where the treatment of such diseases is concerned. ELISA remains one of the most popular tools for the accurate quantification of human cytokines involved in the inflammation process. They are ideal companions for:

• Detection of quantitative protein levels in biological fluids
• Validation of biomarker discovery studies
• Assessing immune response for therapeutics

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