Protheragen specializes in advanced biomarker analysis services tailored for Acute Lung Injury (ALI) research and drug discovery. Our comprehensive biomarker panel is designed to deepen the understanding of ALI pathophysiology, supporting the development of innovative therapeutics. All services are exclusively focused on drug discovery through preclinical development stages and do not include clinical diagnostic services.
The foundation of effective therapeutic intervention in Acute Lung Injury lies in the precise identification and characterization of relevant biomarkers. Protheragen's biomarker discovery services are integral to the drug development pipeline, enabling the identification of molecular targets that inform mechanism-of-action studies and candidate selection. Our process includes systematic screening of candidate molecules, rigorous validation through experimental models, and integration of multi-dimensional biological data to ensure robust biomarker identification. This approach accelerates the translation of research findings into actionable targets for preclinical drug development.
Multi Omics: Protheragen leverages cutting-edge -omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to provide a comprehensive study of biological systems relevant to Acute Lung Injury. Through high-throughput sequencing, quantitative proteomics, and metabolite profiling, we identify DNA, RNA, protein, and metabolite biomarkers implicated in disease processes. This multi-omics approach enables the elucidation of key disease pathways such as inflammatory signaling, immune cell recruitment, endothelial dysfunction, and tissue injury—critical for understanding the molecular basis of ALI and informing therapeutic strategies.
Candidate Validation: Our candidate validation strategies encompass both in vitro and in vivo models, focusing on the association of candidate biomarkers with Acute Lung Injury pathophysiology. Preliminary screening involves quantitative and qualitative assessment of biomarker expression and activity under disease-relevant conditions. Promising candidates are prioritized based on criteria including biological relevance, reproducibility, specificity to ALI mechanisms, and potential as pharmacodynamic indicators. This systematic validation ensures that only the most informative and actionable biomarkers advance to subsequent stages of preclinical research.
Diverse Technological Platforms: Protheragen offers custom assay development tailored to the unique requirements of each biomarker and research objective. Our technological platforms are adaptable, supporting a range of analytical formats from single-analyte to multiplexed detection. We integrate advanced instrumentation and automation to ensure scalability, reproducibility, and high sensitivity across diverse sample types and study designs.
Immunoassays: We employ ELISA, chemiluminescent immunoassays, and multiplex immunoassay platforms for sensitive and specific quantification of protein biomarkers associated with ALI.
Mass Spectrometry: LC-MS/MS is utilized for precise quantification and characterization of proteins, peptides, and metabolites, enabling deep profiling of biomarker panels.
Flow Cytometry: Flow cytometry allows for the multiparametric analysis of cell populations, surface markers, and intracellular proteins, supporting immune and inflammatory biomarker studies.
Molecular Diagnostics: Our molecular diagnostics capabilities include quantitative PCR and digital PCR for the detection and quantification of gene expression and genetic variants.
Histopathology And Imaging: Advanced histopathological techniques and imaging modalities are employed to localize biomarkers within tissues and assess morphological correlates of ALI.
Rigorous Method Validation: All analytical methods undergo rigorous validation in accordance with relevant regulatory and scientific guidelines. Validation parameters include accuracy, precision, specificity, sensitivity, linearity, and robustness. Comprehensive quality control measures are implemented at every stage, ensuring data integrity and reproducibility for preclinical research applications.
Our quantitative analysis capabilities encompass absolute and relative quantification of biomarker levels across diverse sample matrices. We apply validated calibration standards, internal controls, and advanced data analysis pipelines to ensure high-quality, interpretable results that support decision-making in drug discovery.
Sample Analysis: Protheragen processes a wide range of sample types, including serum, plasma, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, tissue lysates, and cell culture supernatants. Standardized protocols are employed for sample preparation, processing, and storage to minimize variability. Stringent quality assurance procedures are in place to monitor sample integrity and analytical performance throughout the workflow.
High Throughput Capabilities: Our high-throughput analytical platforms enable multiplexed biomarker analysis, increasing efficiency and conserving valuable samples. Automated liquid handling and data acquisition systems facilitate the simultaneous assessment of multiple analytes, accelerating study timelines and enhancing the scalability of biomarker discovery projects.
| Gene Target | Biological Function | Application as a Biomarker |
|---|---|---|
| C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) | C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), also known as interleukin-8 (IL-8), is a member of the CXC chemokine family. CXCL8 is primarily produced by macrophages, epithelial cells, and other cell types in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli. Its principal biological function is to act as a chemoattractant, guiding the migration of neutrophils to sites of infection or injury. CXCL8 binds to the CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors on neutrophils, promoting their activation, degranulation, and migration across the endothelium. In addition to its role in neutrophil recruitment, CXCL8 can influence angiogenesis and has been implicated in the regulation of immune responses and inflammation. | CXCL8 has been investigated as a biomarker in several clinical contexts. Elevated levels of CXCL8 in biological fluids, such as serum, plasma, or bronchoalveolar lavage, have been associated with various inflammatory conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and acute lung injury. Additionally, increased CXCL8 expression has been observed in certain malignancies, where it may correlate with disease progression or prognosis. Measurement of CXCL8 concentrations can provide information about the presence and extent of inflammation or immune activation in specific disease states. |
| PYD and CARD domain containing (PYCARD) | PYD and CARD domain containing (PYCARD), also known as ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD), is an adaptor protein that plays a central role in the innate immune response. PYCARD contains two protein-protein interaction domains: a pyrin domain (PYD) and a caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD). It functions primarily as a key component of inflammasomes, multiprotein complexes that mediate the activation of inflammatory caspases, such as caspase-1. Upon sensing of pathogen-associated or danger-associated molecular patterns, PYCARD facilitates the assembly of inflammasome complexes by bridging interactions between pattern recognition receptors (such as NLRP3) and pro-caspase-1. This leads to the autocatalytic activation of caspase-1, which in turn processes pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), into their active forms and induces a form of cell death known as pyroptosis. | PYCARD has been investigated as a biomarker in the context of inflammatory and immune-related conditions. Its expression levels and the presence of ASC specks have been studied in diseases characterized by aberrant inflammasome activation, such as autoinflammatory syndromes, certain autoimmune disorders, and neuroinflammatory diseases. Quantification of PYCARD or its oligomerized speck form in tissues or biological fluids has been explored as a means to assess inflammasome activity and the associated inflammatory state. |
| angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2) | Angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2) is a secreted glycoprotein that functions as a ligand for the endothelial-specific tyrosine kinase receptor TIE2. ANGPT2 is primarily expressed in vascular endothelial cells and plays a critical role in the regulation of angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. It acts as a context-dependent antagonist or agonist of TIE2 signaling, destabilizing blood vessels and promoting vascular permeability in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). ANGPT2 is involved in the modulation of endothelial cell survival, migration, and inflammation, and is upregulated in response to hypoxia, inflammation, and tissue injury. | ANGPT2 has been studied as a biomarker for vascular dysfunction and disease activity in various clinical conditions. Elevated levels of ANGPT2 in blood or tissue have been associated with disease severity and adverse outcomes in sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Measurement of ANGPT2 concentrations is used in research settings to assess endothelial activation, predict prognosis, and monitor therapeutic responses in these contexts. |
| high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) | High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone chromatin-binding protein that is ubiquitously expressed in the nuclei of eukaryotic cells. It binds to DNA and participates in the regulation of chromatin structure and gene transcription. HMGB1 facilitates DNA bending, thereby promoting the assembly of nucleoprotein complexes involved in transcription, replication, and DNA repair. In addition to its nuclear functions, HMGB1 can be released into the extracellular space either passively by necrotic or damaged cells or actively secreted by immune cells such as macrophages and monocytes. Extracellular HMGB1 acts as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule, interacting with receptors such as RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end-products) and Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and mediates inflammatory and immune responses. | HMGB1 has been studied as a biomarker in various clinical contexts. Elevated levels of extracellular HMGB1 have been observed in the blood and tissues of patients with inflammatory conditions, infections, autoimmune diseases, and several types of cancer. Its presence in biological fluids is associated with tissue damage, cell death, and activation of inflammatory pathways. Measurement of HMGB1 concentrations has been used in research settings to assess disease activity, monitor response to treatment, and evaluate prognosis in conditions such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and malignancies. |
| interleukin 1 beta (IL1B) | Interleukin 1 beta (IL1B) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced primarily by activated macrophages, as well as other cell types including monocytes, dendritic cells, and epithelial cells. IL1B plays a central role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. It is synthesized as an inactive precursor (pro-IL1B) and is cleaved by caspase-1 within the inflammasome complex to yield the active cytokine. IL1B binds to the interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI), leading to the activation of downstream signaling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK, which result in the expression of various inflammatory mediators. IL1B is involved in fever induction, leukocyte recruitment, and the modulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in the context of host defense and tissue injury. | IL1B is commonly measured as a biomarker of inflammation in biological fluids such as serum, plasma, and synovial fluid. Elevated IL1B levels have been associated with a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Its quantification is used in research and clinical studies to assess the presence and magnitude of inflammatory responses, monitor disease activity, and evaluate response to anti-inflammatory therapies. |
| interleukin 6 (IL6) | Interleukin 6 (IL6) is a multifunctional cytokine produced by various cell types, including T cells, B cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. IL6 plays a central role in the regulation of immune responses, inflammation, hematopoiesis, and the acute phase reaction. It acts as both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediator, depending on the context. IL6 stimulates the differentiation of B cells into antibody-producing plasma cells, influences T cell differentiation, and induces the production of acute phase proteins in the liver. Additionally, IL6 is involved in the regulation of metabolic, regenerative, and neural processes. | IL6 is commonly measured as a biomarker of inflammation and immune activation. Elevated levels of IL6 in blood or other biological fluids have been associated with a variety of clinical conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, sepsis, and certain cancers. It is frequently used in clinical and research settings to monitor disease activity, assess the severity of inflammatory responses, and evaluate responses to therapy in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19, and other systemic inflammatory states. |
| myeloperoxidase (MPO) | Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a heme-containing enzyme predominantly expressed in neutrophil granulocytes and, to a lesser extent, in monocytes. It plays a critical role in the innate immune response by catalyzing the formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and other reactive oxygen species from hydrogen peroxide and chloride ions during the respiratory burst. These reactive species contribute to the destruction of pathogens engulfed by phagocytes. MPO also participates in modulating inflammatory processes and can contribute to tissue damage under certain pathological conditions due to its oxidative activity. | MPO has been studied as a biomarker in various clinical contexts, particularly those involving inflammation and oxidative stress. Elevated levels of MPO in blood or tissues have been associated with acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and certain autoimmune disorders. Measurement of MPO concentrations or activity can provide information about neutrophil activation and the extent of inflammatory processes. In cardiovascular research, increased MPO levels have been linked to plaque instability and adverse cardiac events. |
| nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) | Nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2), also known as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is an enzyme responsible for the high-output production of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine in response to inflammatory stimuli. NOS2 is primarily expressed in macrophages and other cell types upon activation by pro-inflammatory cytokines or microbial products. The nitric oxide produced by NOS2 plays a key role in host defense mechanisms, including antimicrobial and antitumor activities, by mediating cytotoxic effects on pathogens and tumor cells. Additionally, NO generated by NOS2 modulates various physiological processes such as vasodilation, immune regulation, and neurotransmission. However, excessive or prolonged NOS2 activity has been associated with tissue damage and contributes to the pathophysiology of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. | NOS2 expression or activity is utilized as a biomarker of inflammation and immune activation. Elevated NOS2 levels have been observed in various conditions, including infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and certain cancers. Measurement of NOS2, or its product nitric oxide, in tissues or biological fluids can provide information about the presence and extent of inflammatory responses. NOS2 is also studied as a biomarker for disease progression, prognosis, and response to therapeutic interventions in specific clinical contexts. |
| prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) | Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), also known as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), is an inducible enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2, a precursor of various prostanoids including prostaglandins and thromboxanes. PTGS2 is typically expressed at low levels in most tissues but is rapidly upregulated in response to inflammatory stimuli, growth factors, and cytokines. The enzyme plays a key role in mediating inflammatory responses, pain, and fever, and is also involved in processes such as angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. | PTGS2 expression has been utilized as a biomarker for inflammation and has been studied in the context of several diseases, including various cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. Elevated PTGS2 levels in tissue or body fluids have been associated with disease presence, progression, or prognosis in certain settings. Its expression is often assessed in tumor tissues to provide information about the inflammatory microenvironment and potential therapeutic targets. |
| tumor necrosis factor (TNF) | Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine primarily produced by activated macrophages, as well as other immune and non-immune cells. TNF plays a central role in the regulation of immune responses, inflammation, and apoptosis. It exerts its effects by binding to two distinct cell surface receptors: TNFR1 and TNFR2. TNF is involved in the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), the induction of fever, the recruitment of immune cells to sites of inflammation, and the modulation of cell survival and death. It is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. | TNF is measured in biological fluids, such as serum or plasma, to assess the presence and degree of inflammation. Elevated TNF levels have been associated with a range of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, sepsis, and certain cancers. Quantification of TNF can aid in monitoring disease activity, evaluating the response to anti-TNF therapies, and contributing to the overall assessment of inflammatory status in clinical and research settings. |
Explore Research Opportunities with Protheragen. Our biomarker research services provide comprehensive, exploratory analysis of molecular targets relevant to Acute Lung Injury, supporting preclinical drug discovery and development. All biomarkers discussed are research targets only; we do not claim any biomarker as validated or mandatory for clinical or diagnostic use. Our focus is exclusively on preclinical research stages, maintaining scientific objectivity and rigor throughout every project.
We invite you to connect with Protheragen to discuss collaborative opportunities in exploratory biomarker research for Acute Lung Injury. Our team is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering partnerships that drive innovation in preclinical research. Let's explore the potential of biomarker discovery together.
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