Determination of serum BRAK/CXCL14 levels in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Background: BRAK/CXCL14 is a chemokine expressed in many normal cells and tissues. Several papers have reported tissue distribution, but no study has examined the serum protein level of this chemokine. Methods: We evaluated serum levels of BRAK/CXCL14 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, after determining the conditions necessary to increase the sensitivity and reproducibility of the method. Results: The average level of males was significantly higher than that of females. Two percent of the volunteers showed a value 2 S.D. higher than the average value without any obvious abnormality, but no person was lower than 1 S.D. of the average value. The serum BRAK/CXCL14 levels of individual subjects were constant. Conclusion: These data indicate that the serum BRAK/CXCL14 level is highly conserved and suggest that the levels are determined by the genetic background and/or lifestyle of the individual.