Elevation of serum fortilin levels is specific for apoptosis and signifies cell death in vivo.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Billions of cells undergo apoptosis each day in the average normal adult. The ability to readily assess the degree of apoptosis in human diseases is hampered by the lack of sensitive and specific serum biomarkers of apoptosis. Fortilin is a novel prosurvival molecule that protects cells against various noxious stimuli. While fortilin is secreted into the extracellular space under certain conditions, the relationship between the serum concentration of fortilin and the presence and extent of apoptosis in vivo remains unknown.

Methods & results

Using a newly developed fortilin ELISA system, we show here that fortilin exists in the normal human and mouse circulation. We further demonstrate that fortilin serum levels are significantly elevated in patients with solid ca

SUBMITTER: Sinthujaroen P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4280861 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature