Purified by affinity chromatographic technique.
Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), is a significant global health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Dengue fever can lead to severe complications, including dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
The dengue virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family and has four distinct serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. The virus’s genome encodes three structural proteins and seven non-structural proteins. One of the key non-structural proteins is NS1 (Non-Structural protein 1), which plays a crucial role in viral replication and immune evasion.
NS1 is a highly conserved glycoprotein found in all flaviviruses. It is initially expressed as a monomer and then secreted as a hexamer. The protein is involved in various functions, including binding to the cell surface and interacting with other viral proteins like NS4A and NS4B. The serum concentration of NS1 can exceed 50 µg/ml during infection, and its levels are positively correlated with disease severity .
Polyclonal antibodies are produced by immunizing animals, such as rabbits, with an antigen. In this case, the antigen is the NS1 protein of the dengue virus serotype 4 (DENV-4). The immune system of the rabbit generates a diverse array of antibodies that recognize multiple epitopes on the NS1 protein. These antibodies are then collected from the rabbit’s serum and purified.
The polyclonal rabbit anti-Dengue 4 NS1 antibody is highly specific and sensitive for detecting the NS1 protein of DENV-4. It can be used in various diagnostic assays, including ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and Western blotting, to detect dengue virus infections .
The detection of NS1 protein is crucial for early diagnosis of dengue infection. Commercially available dengue NS1 ELISA kits utilize antibodies against NS1 to provide rapid and accurate results. The polyclonal rabbit anti-Dengue 4 NS1 antibody can be used in these kits to improve their sensitivity and specificity.
Additionally, these antibodies can be employed in research to study the pathogenesis of dengue virus and to develop new therapeutic strategies. By understanding how NS1 interacts with the host immune system, researchers can identify potential targets for antiviral drugs and vaccines .