Blockade Assay
Blockade Assay - Related Videos
01:29
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade
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2025
The site of chemical communication between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber is called the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The end of the motor neuron at the NMJ divides into a cluster of synaptic end bulbs. The cytoplasm of these bulbs consists of synaptic vesicles enclosing acetylcholine molecules, the principal neurotransmitter released at the NMJ. The region opposite the synaptic bulb that ends in the muscle fiber is called the motor end plate, which has acetylcholine receptors. Within the...
08:50
Deep Neuromuscular Blockade Leads to a Larger Intraabdominal Volume During Laparoscopy
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Cited by 49 •
2013
This article presents a method for measuring the working abdominal volume during laproscopic myomectomy using the surgical grasper, and applies this technique to obtain pilot data on whether deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) can enable the use of lower insufflation pressure. Reduced insufflation pressure during laproscopic surgery has been shown to reduce post-operative pain, and thus the use of NMB during surgery may enable improved patient outcomes.
11:55
Induction of Alloantigen-specific Anergy in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells by Alloantigen Stimulation with Co-stimulatory Signal Blockade
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Cited by 9 •
2011
This paper describes a simple technique to induce alloantigen-specific anergy in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The technique can be applied clinically to generate non-alloreactive donor cells. Infusion of these cells could improve immune reconstitution and reduce toxicity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
08:12
The TUNEL Assay
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2023
One of the hallmarks of apoptosis is the nuclear DNA fragmentation by nucleases. These enzymes are activated by caspases, the family of proteins that execute the cell death program. TUNEL assay is a method that takes advantage of this feature to detect apoptotic cells. In this assay, an enzyme called terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase catalyzes the addition of dUTP nucleotides to the free 3’ ends of fragmented DNA. By using dUTPs that are labeled with chemical tags that can produce...
09:12
Aortic Ring Assay
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Cited by 42 •
2009
Angiogenesis, the sprouting of blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is associated with both natural and pathological processes. Here we demonstrate an aortic ring assay that allows angiogenic potentiators and inhibitors to be directly added to aortic rings in culture. Sprouting and neovessel outgrowth can be determined by inspecting the aortic rings over a period of 6-12 days.
FAQs
The key comparison is between a condition receiving the blocking reagent and a matched control condition. If treated cells or tissues show reduced proliferation, survival, immune-cell activity, or cytokine production relative to the control, the result supports a role for the targeted molecular interaction in that biological outcome. This comparison links pathway interruption to a measurable cancer-related effect.
Reagent choice determines which part of the signaling process is interrupted. An antibody or inhibitor may target a receptor, ligand, or another signaling component, allowing researchers to examine whether that specific interaction contributes to pathway activation. Selecting the component that is most directly connected to the question helps distinguish effects associated with tumor growth from those related to immune suppression.
Different readouts connect pathway interruption to distinct biological consequences. Proliferation measurements indicate effects on tumor-cell expansion, while survival measurements assess whether the blocked interaction supports cell persistence. Immune-cell activity and cytokine production provide information about immune regulation. Using the readout that matches the research question helps clarify how the targeted pathway influences cancer biology.
Researchers expose cells or tissues to an antibody, inhibitor, or other blocking reagent, while maintaining a comparable untreated or control condition. They then measure a selected biological response, such as proliferation, survival, immune-cell activity, or cytokine production, and compare the outcomes. The difference between conditions indicates the consequence of interrupting the defined molecular interaction.
A typical design includes a biological system consisting of cells or tissues, a blocking reagent, a control condition, and a measurable outcome. The reagent may be directed against a receptor, ligand, or signaling component, depending on the pathway under study. This combination allows investigators to connect a targeted molecular interruption with changes in cancer-related or immune-related behavior.
Researchers can use the assay when they need to test whether a molecular pathway contributes to tumor growth or immune suppression. A change in proliferation, survival, immune-cell activity, or cytokine production after blockade provides functional evidence about that pathway. This makes the approach useful for validating potential therapeutic targets before assessing how blocking agents may affect cancer treatment responses.
By interrupting a receptor, ligand, or signaling component and measuring the resulting biological change, researchers can evaluate how that pathway influences treatment-related behavior. Comparisons between blocked and control conditions may show whether pathway activity is associated with tumor-cell outcomes or immune regulation. These findings help assess the potential relevance of blocking agents to responses observed during cancer treatment.