Mouse Haptoglobin ELISA

Acute phase proteins are plasma proteins which increase in concentration following infection, inflammation or trauma. The first acute phase protein to be recognized was discovered in humans by Tillet and Frances in 19301 . Haptoglobin is a heterogeneous plasma protein mostly synthesized in by the liver. The haptoglobin monomer consist of two heavy chains, beta chains (40 kD) and two light chains, alpha chains, alpha 1 (9 kD) and alpha 2 (16 kD) that are linked by disulfide bonds. The three major haptoglobin types are; Hp1-1 which is monomeric (98kD), Hp1- 2 is polymeric at about 200 kD, and Hp2-2 at about 400 kD. The haptoglobin level in serum has been shown to rise quickly following acute tissue damage within 24 to 48 hours and also falls very rapidly once the stimulus is removed. Research indicates that haptoglobin levels are decreased in hemolytic anemia. Haptoglobin has a high affinity for hemoglobin (Hb) and its function appears to be to prevent loss of Hb in urine which would lead to loss of iron.