Development Service of Inflammation Markers

Biomarkers can be used as an indicator of unbiased differences in the onset of disease, contributing to the classification of diseased or non-diseased states, and providing the ability to stage disease progression and/or providing insights into its relative severity. Creative Biolabs provides a full range of services (e.g. Phage Display & Antibody Library, Antibody Analysis, Antibody Engineering) in custom biomarkers production by targeting inflammation pathways for non-invasive diagnosis of NASH.

Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation

NASH is a clinical pathology entity characterized by the presence of macrovesicular steatosis, lobular inflammation, balloon-like degeneration with or without perisinusoidal fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis is a natural consequence of repeated injury in chronic liver disease and is usually mediated by chronic inflammation. Even in the absence of pathogens, tissue damage and cell death can induce an inflammatory response. The recognized chronic inflammatory state present in obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease may lead to disease progression to NASH. This aseptic inflammation plays an important role in a variety of pathologies including NASH, in which it can amplify liver damage after the initial injury. The development of aseptic inflammation involves the assembly and activation of cytosolic polyprotein complexes, called inflammatory bodies, which convert two types of extracellular signals (signal 1 and signal 2) into inflammatory responses in immune cells, resulting in activation of caspase 1 and secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18.

Fig.1 The pathogenesis of inflammation in NASH. (Mridha, 2017)

Biomarkers of Inflammation for NASH Diagnosis

Various serum markers have been shown to be associated with inflammation. Decreased adiponectin and elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α and IL-6 are associated with the development of fatty liver. Adiponectin is considered to be protective and the lower levels of adiponectin are observed in NASH than in controls. Therefore, adiponectin can predict the presence of inflammation and fibrosis, and therefore can be used to distinguish simple steatosis and NASH. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines for the diagnosis of NASH include TNF-α and IL-6, IL-8, chemokine CC-chemokine ligand-2 (chemoattractant protein-1), and inflammatory markers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Inhibition of cytokine signaling-3 down-regulates hepatocyte insulin receptors and promotes acquired hepatic insulin resistance. Adipokines are enzymes involved in postprandial lipid metabolism. Many of these are associated with obesity and obesity-related diseases, including NASH, which can be designed as inflammatory marker for NASH diagnosis.

Biomarkers provide potential prognostic or diagnostic indicators for disease manifestations, progression, or both. In order to improve the value of these diagnostic tools and help clinicians in the diagnosis, prognosis, and staging of NASH, Creative Biolabs now provides customized services to produce high-quality biomarkers for NASH non-intrusive diagnostic use. We are proud to offer the most comprehensive services list for NASH therapy. If you have any special needs in NASH services, please feel free to contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Mridha, A.R.; et al. NLRP3 inflammasome blockade reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis in experimental NASH in mice. Journal of hepatology. 2017, 66(5): 1037-1046.