ITIH4
ITIH4 (inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4, also known as IHRP, H4P and ITIHL1) is a secreted type II acute-phase protein that takes part in inflammatory responses to trauma. It belongs to the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain family. Browse Assay Genie's current range of ITIH4 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
ITIH4 is a type II acute-phase protein (APP) involved in inflammatory responses to trauma. Acute-phase proteins are those whose levels change in response to inflammation or tissue injury, and ITIH4 appears to be upregulated during surgical trauma. UniProt also notes that it may play a role in liver development or regeneration, although this is annotated as a possibility rather than an established function.
The ITIH4 protein is secreted into the blood, where it is cleaved by plasma kallikrein into two smaller forms. This processing is a defining feature of the protein and is relevant to anyone designing an ITIH4 antibody or ITIH4 ELISA kit experiment, since the intact and cleaved forms may both be present in circulation. Expression of the ITIH4 gene has been detected only in liver, consistent with its release as a plasma protein. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described.
ITIH4 is a member of the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain gene group, and the ITIH4 gene lies within a cluster of similar genes on chromosome 3. Other members of the family include ITIH1, ITIH2, ITIH3 and ITIH5. Earlier names reflect its biochemistry: it was described as the inter-alpha (globulin) inhibitor H4, a plasma kallikrein-sensitive glycoprotein, and as inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain family, member 4. Mouse has an ortholog named Itih4.
ITIH4 is a type II acute-phase protein, making it relevant to research on inflammatory responses to trauma.
Expression of ITIH4 appears to be upregulated during surgical trauma, so it is studied as a response marker in this setting.
Expression is detected only in liver, and ITIH4 may play a role in liver development or regeneration.
ITIH4 is cleaved by plasma kallikrein into two smaller forms, which supports work on protein processing in blood.
ITIH4 is a type II acute-phase protein involved in inflammatory responses to trauma. It is secreted into the blood, where plasma kallikrein cleaves it into two smaller forms. UniProt also suggests it may play a role in liver development or regeneration.
ITIH4 is also called IHRP, H4P and ITIHL1. Earlier names include inter-alpha (globulin) inhibitor H4 (plasma Kallikrein-sensitive glycoprotein). Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been reported for the gene.
Mouse has an ortholog, Itih4. In humans, expression has been detected only in liver, and the protein is secreted into blood. It sits in a gene cluster on chromosome 3 with related ITIH genes. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain family members with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q14624; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.