The Human Interleukin 6 (IL-6) ELISA kit is designed for the quantitative detection and measurement of IL-6 in biological fluids such as serum and cell culture supernatants. IL-6 is primarily produced by macrophages, fibroblasts, activated T cells, and endothelial cells. Signaling through the IL-6R receptor, IL-6 activates glycoprotein 130 and subsequent downstream signaling. It is an important growth factor for plasmacytoma and myeloma and enhances B cell proliferation. IL-6 is also involved in hematopoiesis, bone metabolism, and cancer progression and has been defined as an essential cytokine in directing the transition from innate to acquired immunity.

The assay is based on a sandwich ELISA method, in which samples are added to ELISA strip plates pre-coated with capture antibodies specific for human IL-6. The captured IL-6 is detected by the addition of a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated detection antibody. The addition of the chromogenic enzyme substrate 3,3’5,5’ tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) results in a colored product with an intensity directly proportional to the concentration of human IL-6 in the sample.