Granulysin is a cytolytic protein and present in granules of human natural killer (NK) cells and activated cytotoxix T lymphocytes (CTLs). Granulysin is synthesized as a 15 kD precursor, which is then cleaved at both the amino- and carboxy-termini into a 9 kD activated form. The 9 kD granulysin is released into the intercellular space between target and effector cells via a granule exocytosis pathway.

The 9 kD granulysin is a chemoattractant for T lymphocytes, monocytes, and other inflammatory cells and activates the expression of a number of cytokines, including RANTES, MCP-1, MCP-3, MIP-1α, IL-10, IL-1, IL-6 and IFNα.

High serum levels of granulysin is associated with cytotoxic T-cell and NK cell activity and may thus represent a soluble biomarker for host-cellular immune responses. Serum granulysin has also been proposed as a biomarker for the Th1/Th2 balance and at the cellular level, granulysin may serve as a favorable prognostic marker for certain types of cancer.

The LEGEND MAX™ Human Granulysin ELISA kit is a Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) with 96-well strip plates that are pre-coated with a capture antibody.

This assay detects both 9 kD and 15 kD form of human granulysin from cell culture supernatant, serum, plasma, or other body fluids. This kit is analytically validated with ready-to-use reagents.