Enzyme ImmunoAssay (EIA) is a technique to detect and quantify antigens (proteins, hormones…) or antibodies in samples. It relies on the ability of an antibody to bind a specific antigen. Either the antibody or the antigen is labelled with an enzyme whose substrate is a chromogen or a fluorogen converted in a measurable product (color or fluorescence).|Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a type of EIA using a solid phase (ex: microtiter plate) coated with an antigen immobilizing the molecule to detect. Over the time, scientists have extended the term ELISA to EIAs using an antibody coating the solid phase. That explains why our EIA kits using coated antibodies are also called ELISA kits.|Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein (AFABP) is a 15 kDa member of the intracellular Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP) family, which is known for the ability to bind fatty acids and related compounds.|AFABP is expressed in a tissue specific-manner in differentiated adipocytes and is a critical gene in the regulation of the biological function of these cells. According to some results, AFABP may be involved in mediating obesity-induced alterations in adipocyte gene expression. In macrophages AFABP modulates inflammatory responses and cholesterol ester accumulation, and total or macrophage-specific AFABP deficiency confers dramatic protection against atherosclerosis in the apoE-/- mice. These results indicate a central role for AFABP in the development of major components of the metabolic syndrome through its distinct actions in adipocytes and macrophages. Besides being active within the cell, AFAB appears to be a secreted protein, with unknown functions.
