InvivoGen provides a collection of HEK293-derived cells for the study of the NF-κ B and/or IRF pathways.
Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and the interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) are two families of master transcription factors that regulate innate immune responses, impacting both physiological and pathological processes. NF-κB members are broadly considered proinflammatory transcription factors as their activation is associated with gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. They can be activated via different routes and by multiple exogenous or endogenous ligands, including pattern recognition receptor (PRR) ligands, and cytokines. IRF members play central roles in driving production of interferons (IFNs) and transcription of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs).
Both transcription factor families play defining roles in driving inflammation as well as the antiviral response. Pathways leading to their simultaneous activation share common upstream components but eventually distinct regulators which directly facilitate their activation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) as well as the cGAS-STING axis are well-characterized to activate both transcription factor families.
InvivoGen's HEK293 NF-κB/IRF Reporter Cells allow the monitoring of the NF-κB and/or IRF pathways. These cells express or co-express two different NF-κB- or IRF-inducible reporter genes: secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and Lucia, a secreted luciferase. Expression of these reporter genes can be readily assessed using QUANTI-Blue™, a SEAP detection reagent, and QUANTI-Luc™ 4 Lucia/Gaussia, a Lucia luciferase detection reagent.