Assay kit allows researchers to look specifically at Granzyme B activity in target cells by flow cytometry or microscopy and measure cell death exclusively in target cell populations
GranToxiLux, a new Granzyme B cytotoxicity assay where one can measure cell death exclusively in target cell populations, is released by Oncoimmunin and distributed in the UK by Cadama Medical.
The kit allows researchers to look specifically at Granzyme B activity in target cells by flow cytometry or microscopy.
Oncoimmunin's assays are more sensitive than the classic 51Cr release assay as they can detect relatively weak CTL responses, says the company.
Furthermore, when combined with immunophenotypic analyses and multiparameter flow cytometry, CTL and NK-mediated killing of primary host target cells as well as the physiology and fate of effector cells can be directly visualised and monitored.
GranToxiLux is an addition to Oncoimmunin's range of live cell cytotoxicity testing kits and a follow up to the very successful CyToxiLux Plus kit.
Both kits investigate the biochemical pathway to cell death in target cells.
Oncoimmunin's substrate molecules have a number of unique aspects that include incorporation of amino acid sequence information from both sides of protease cleavage sites (up to ten amino acid residues), thereby providing not only linear but three-dimensional specificity for proteases, and the ability to cross intact cell membranes enabling measurement and inhibition of intracellular protease activities in living cells.
