This kit is a sandwich ELISA using as the capture antibody a plate-coated RetroNectin-specific monoclonal antibody that does not cross-react with human fibronectin. It is not subject to inhibition even in the presence of human blood components, allowing easy monitoring of RetroNectin levels. This kit allows high-sensitivity quantitative determination of release from RetroNectin-coated dishes and residual levels of RetroNectin in the cryopreservation solution of cells cultured in a RetroNectin-added medium and in cell washings.
RetroNectin (recombinant human fibronectin CH-296), is composed of 3 functional domains: human fibronectin cell-binding (C-domain), heparin-binding domain (H-domain) and CS-1 sequence. A combination of a recombinant retroviral vector and RetroNectin is frequently used for gene transfer into mammalian cells. This protocol, in which the RetroNectin molecule brings the retroviral vector that binds to the H-domain into close proximity with the animal cell that has an affinity for the C-domain, can dramatically increase transduction efficiency.
In addition, RetroNectin has been used to aid lymphocyte expansion after it was shown to be an effective matrix for coating apparatuses used in ex vivo expansion of lymphocytes.
