FAQs for Immunologists
sTLR2 for Immunologists - Frequently Asked Questions
Soluble Toll-like Receptor 2 (sTLR2) as a biomarker, its biological role, technical aspects and the potential clinical utility of the IMIWN sTLR2 RAPID Test.
General sTLR2 & Immunology
Q: What is the primary biological function of sTLR2?
A: sTLR2 acts as a circulating decoy receptor for membrane-bound TLR2, binding to PAMPs (e.g., bacterial lipopeptides) and DAMPs (e.g., HMGB1) to prevent their engagement with cell-surface TLR2 complexes, thereby attenuating pro-inflammatory signaling and contributing to immune homeostasis.
Q: How does sTLR2 shedding occur?
A: sTLR2 is primarily shed from the surface of activated immune cells (e.g., monocytes, macrophages) and endothelial cells through proteolytic cleavage, often mediated by metalloproteinases. This process is rapidly upregulated during inflammation.
Q: Can sTLR2 differentiate between bacterial and viral sepsis?
A: While sTLR2 is primarily associated with TLR2 ligands (e.g., from Gram-positive bacteria), its elevation can occur in various inflammatory states. When used in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory parameters, it can provide complementary immunological insights that aid in differential diagnosis, but it is not a standalone diagnostic for distinguishing bacterial from viral infection.
sTLR2 RAPID Test Specifics
Q: What are the specific PAMPs and DAMPs that sTLR2 binds to, and are they relevant to the sTLR2 RAPID Test?
A: sTLR2 binds to a range of PAMPs (e.g., peptidoglycan, lipoteichoic acid, lipopeptides) and DAMPs (e.g., HMGB1). The sTLR2 RAPID Test measures the total soluble sTLR2 protein in circulation, reflecting the overall shedding and immune response, rather than specific ligand binding.
Q: How does the sensitivity and specificity of the sTLR2 RAPID Test compare to qPCR methods for TLR2 mRNA expression?
A: The sTLR2 RAPID Test measures the circulating protein, providing a direct assessment of the shed receptor's presence. qPCR measures gene expression, which reflects transcriptional activity. Both provide different but complementary insights into TLR2 biology.
Q: What clinical evidence supports the use of sTLR2 for patient stratification or guiding immunotherapy?
A: Numerous peer-reviewed publications and ongoing research support the prognostic and monitoring potential of sTLR2. Its rapid kinetics make it ideal for dynamic assessment of immune response and potential for stratifying patients based on their inflammatory profiles.
Q: Can the sTLR2 RAPID Test be used for veterinary immunology research?
A: The current sTLR2 RAPID Test is developed and validated for human sTLR2. For veterinary applications, specific validation would be required, or research assays tailored to animal species might be necessary. We would be pleased to assist in evaluation for veterinary applications.
If you need more information, please contact our technical support.