Journal: International Journal of Molecular Medicine

Article Title: Triptolide exerts antiviral effects and alleviates influenza A-induced pneumonia by inhibiting the overactivation of absent in melanoma 2 signaling in immune cells

doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5829

Figure Lengend Snippet: H1N1 infection affects cell viability, inflammatory cytokine secretion and interactions between HBEpiCs and THP-1 cells. (A) CCK-8 assay revealed that HBEpiC viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner following H1N1 infection. (B) ELISA revealed that the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 in HBEpiCs decreased with increasing H1N1 infection. (C) CCK-8 assay indicated that supernatants from H1N1-infected HBEpiC cultures reduced the viability of THP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. (D) ELISA results suggested that the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8) in THP-1 cells were decreased following exposure to supernatants from H1N1-infected HBEpiC cultures. (E) Cell adhesion assay revealed that the number of THP-1 cells adhering to HBEpiCs increased with increasing H1N1 concentration (scale bar, 10 μ m). Arrow indicates THP-1 cells that remain attached to the surface of HBEpiCs, highlighting the adhesion interaction between the two cell types. (F) Transwell assay suggested that H1N1 infection enhanced the migration capacity of THP-1 cells, with increased migration observed at higher virus concentrations (scale bar, 50 μ m). The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation; ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001 vs. control. H1N1, influenza A; HBEpiCs, human bronchial epithelial cells; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IL, interleukin; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; Con, control; MOI, multiplicity of infection.

Article Snippet: Cell supernatants were collected and analyzed using Human TNF-α High Sensitivity ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK182HS; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], Human IL-8 ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK108; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], a human IL-1β ELISA kit [EH0185; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] and IL-6 [cat. no. EK1217; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Techniques: Infection, CCK-8 Assay, Concentration Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Cell Adhesion Assay, Transwell Assay, Migration, Virus, Standard Deviation, Control

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Medicine

Article Title: Triptolide exerts antiviral effects and alleviates influenza A-induced pneumonia by inhibiting the overactivation of absent in melanoma 2 signaling in immune cells

doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5829

Figure Lengend Snippet: TP modulates the inflammatory response and immune cell activity in H1N1-infected HBEpiCs and THP-1 cells. (A) No significant changes were observed in HBEpiCs treated with various concentrations of TP (5, 10 and 20 nM) following H1N1 infection compared with the control. (B) After TP treatment, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8 in HBEpiCs were markedly lower than those in the untreated group. (C) The viability of THP-1 cells pretreated with H1N1-infected HBEpiC culture supernatant decreased after TP treatment. (D) The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 in THP-1 cells were markedly lower after TP treatment. (E) The adhesion of THP-1 cells to HBEpiCs induced by H1N1 infection decreased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing TP concentration (scale bar, 10 μ m). Arrow indicates THP-1 cells that remain attached to the surface of HBEpiCs, highlighting the adhesion interaction between the two cell types. (F) The migration capacity of THP-1 cells was markedly reduced when the supernatant from H1N1-infected HBEpiC cultures was treated with TP (scale bar, 50 μ m). The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation; * P<0.05, ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001 vs. control. TP, triptolide; H1N1, influenza A; HBEpiCs, human bronchial epithelial cells; IL, interleukin; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; Con, control.

Article Snippet: Cell supernatants were collected and analyzed using Human TNF-α High Sensitivity ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK182HS; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], Human IL-8 ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK108; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], a human IL-1β ELISA kit [EH0185; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] and IL-6 [cat. no. EK1217; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Techniques: Activity Assay, Infection, Control, Concentration Assay, Migration, Standard Deviation

Journal: International Journal of Molecular Medicine

Article Title: Triptolide exerts antiviral effects and alleviates influenza A-induced pneumonia by inhibiting the overactivation of absent in melanoma 2 signaling in immune cells

doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2026.5829

Figure Lengend Snippet: AIM2 overexpression reverses the immunosuppressive effects of TP in THP-1 cells. (A) Transfection with Ad-AIM2 upregulated the expression of AIM2 compared with that of Ad-NC in THP-1 cells. (B) AIM2 protein levels were elevated in THP-1 cells overexpressing AIM2 compared with control THP-1 cells. (C) In THP-1 cells, AIM2 overexpression increased the LDH leakage rate. (D) AIM2 overexpression reversed the TP-induced reduction in adhesion between THP-1 cells and HBEpiCs (scale bar, 10 μ m). (E) AIM2 overexpression enhanced the migration ability of THP-1 cells compared with that of H1N1-treated control cells and reversed the TP-induced decrease in THP-1 cell migration (scale bar, 50 μ m). (F) AIM2 overexpression reversed the TP-induced reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels. The data are presented as the mean ± standard deviation; * P<0.05, ** P<0.01, *** P<0.001 vs. Con; # P<0.05, ## P<0.01, ### P<0.001 vs. Ad-AIM2. AIM2, absent in melanoma 2; TP, triptolide; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; HBEpiCs, human bronchial epithelial cells; H1N1, influenza A; GSDMD, gasdermin D; IL, interleukin; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; Con, control.

Article Snippet: Cell supernatants were collected and analyzed using Human TNF-α High Sensitivity ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK182HS; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], Human IL-8 ELISA Kit [cat. no. EK108; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.], a human IL-1β ELISA kit [EH0185; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] and IL-6 [cat. no. EK1217; Hangzhou Multi Sciences (Lianke) Biotech Co., Ltd.] according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Techniques: Over Expression, Transfection, Expressing, Control, Migration, Standard Deviation

Journal: iScience

Article Title: 3-Hydroxypropionic acid converts inflammatory macrophage glycolysis into mitochondrial oxidation through GAPDH carboxyethylation

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116258

Figure Lengend Snippet: 3-HPA inhibits the secretion of inflammatory factors and glycolysis in macrophages (A and B) Schematic diagram of THP-1 cell (A) and BMDMs (B) activation into pro-inflammatory macrophages. Created with BioRender.com. (C) The concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in THP-1 cell supernatants were quantified by ELISA after 24 h treatment with LPS (100 ng/mL), or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001. (D) The concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in supernatants of THP-1 cells treated with different concentrations of 3-HPA (0, 0.625, 1.25, 5 mM) followed by LPS stimulation. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, and ∗∗∗p < 0.001. (E) The concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in BMDM cell supernatants were quantified by ELISA after 24 h treatment with LPS (100 ng/mL) or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001. (F) Bubble plot of KEGG pathway enrichment analysis for differentially expressed genes between LPS (100 ng/mL) and LPS+3-HPA (5 mM) treated in THP-1 cells. The size of each bubble represents the number of differentially expressed genes, and the color indicates the enrichment factor. (G and H) Pyruvate and lactate levels in THP-1 cells (G) and BMDMs (H) treated with LPS (100 ng/mL), or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). (I) Immunoblots of protein expression levels of HK, GAPDH, PKM, and LDHA in THP-1 cells treated with LPS (100 ng/mL), or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM), and quantitative results of GAPDH. (J) The mRNA levels of GAPDH in THP-1 cells treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). (K) GAPDH activity assay in THP-1 cells and BMDMs treated with PBS, LPS (100 ng/mL), or LPS+3-HPA (5 mM). Data in (G–K) are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; ns, not significant.

Article Snippet: Human TNF-α Precoated ELISA Kit , Dakewe , 1117202.

Techniques: Activation Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Western Blot, Expressing, Activity Assay

Journal: iScience

Article Title: 3-Hydroxypropionic acid converts inflammatory macrophage glycolysis into mitochondrial oxidation through GAPDH carboxyethylation

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116258

Figure Lengend Snippet: GAPDH is modified with carboxyethylation at Cys 247 (A) Mass spectrometry analysis of GAPDH peptide (234–260) with carboxyethylation and 3-HPA (5 mM) incubated with the GAPDH peptide (234–260) at 37 °C for 4 h. (B) SPR analysis of the affinity of the anti-ceC247 antibody for the carboxyethylation modified GAPDH peptide (234–260) and unmodified GAPDH peptide (234–260). (C) ELISA-based binding curve of anti-ceC247 antibody to modified GAPDH peptide (GAPDH ce (234–260)) and unmodified GAPDH peptide (234–260). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using two-way ANOVA followed by ∗∗p < 0.01. (D) Chemical structures of cysteine carboxyethylation and cysteine lactylation. (E) Unmodified GAPDH peptide (234–260), carboxyethylated peptide (GAPDH ce (234–260)), and lactylated peptide (GAPDH lac (234–260)) were tested with the anti-ceC247 antibody in dot blot assays. (F) Immunoblots of lysates from 293 T cells overexpressing GAPDH, which were treated with 5 mM 3-HPA and 5 μM MG132. The blots were probed with the anti-ceC247 antibody. (G) 3-HPA incubated with the GAPDH peptide (234–260) at 37 °C for 4 h. An anti-ceC247 antibody and the anti-wtC247 antibody were used in dot blot assays.

Article Snippet: Human TNF-α Precoated ELISA Kit , Dakewe , 1117202.

Techniques: Modification, Mass Spectrometry, Incubation, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Binding Assay, Dot Blot, Western Blot

Journal: iScience

Article Title: 3-Hydroxypropionic acid converts inflammatory macrophage glycolysis into mitochondrial oxidation through GAPDH carboxyethylation

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116258

Figure Lengend Snippet: 3-HPA enhances the metabolite content of the TCA cycle and mitochondrial oxidation (A) Schematic diagram of THP-1 with 2-DG treatment. Created with BioRender.com. (B) Concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in supernatants of THP-1 cells treated with LPS, LPS+3-HPA, LPS+2-DG, or LPS+3-HPA+2-DG. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; ns, not significant. (C) Schematic diagram of THP-1 with high glucose treatment. Created with BioRender.com. (D) Concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in supernatants of THP-1 cells treated with LPS+3-HPA, LPS+3-HPA+glucose. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using unpaired Student’s t test with ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ns, not significant. (E) KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of metabolic pathways in BMDM cells treated with LPS or LPS+3-HPA. (F) Relative abundance of metabolite (ornithine, citrulline, L-malate, succinic acid, trans-aconitic acid, cis-aconitic acid) in BMDM cells treated with LPS or LPS+3-HPA. Data are the means ± SD and n = 4 per group. Statistical significance was determined using unpaired Student’s t test with ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗p < 0.01. (G) Correlation network of metabolites and genes in the metabolic pathway. Nodes represent metabolites (blue squares) and genes (colored circles). Gray edges indicate pairwise correlations between metabolites and genes. The colors similarly represent expression levels, with red typically indicating higher expression and blue indicating lower expression compared to the mean. (H) Schematic diagram of arginine metabolism and the TCA cycle. (I) Heatmap of mitochondrial oxidation-related gene expression associated with differentially expressed metabolites. Red indicates relatively high gene expression, while blue indicates relatively low gene expression within each row. (J) Schematic diagram of the catalytic function of the GAPDH enzyme. (K) Concentrations of the NAD + /NADH ratio in THP-1 cells and BMDM cells treated with PBS, LPS, or LPS+3-HPA. Data are the means ± SD and n = 4 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, and ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001; (L) ATP concentrations in THP-1 cells and BMDMs treated with PBS, LPS, or LPS+3-HPA. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗ p < 0.05; ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001; ns, not significant. (M) Representative images and mitochondrial analysis of BMDM cells treated with PBS, LPS, or LPS+3-HPA. Scale bars, 1 μm (upper) and 0.25 μm (lower). For mitochondrial number, n = 8–12 ( n = 12 for PBS, n = 8 for LPS, n = 9 for LPS+3-HPA group).

Article Snippet: Human TNF-α Precoated ELISA Kit , Dakewe , 1117202.

Techniques: Expressing, Gene Expression

Journal: iScience

Article Title: 3-Hydroxypropionic acid converts inflammatory macrophage glycolysis into mitochondrial oxidation through GAPDH carboxyethylation

doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.116258

Figure Lengend Snippet: GAPDH carboxyethylation inhibited macrophage glycolysis and the release of inflammatory factors (A) Schematic workflow illustrating the strategy of silencing endogenous GAPDH via 3′UTR-targeting siRNA and overexpressing exogenous GAPDH. (B) Immunoblot and quantitative analysis of GAPDH protein in 293 T cells transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR-targeting siRNAs (siGAPDH 1, siGAPDH 2) or siRNA NC. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test ∗∗p < 0.01. (C) Relative mRNA expression of GAPDH in 293 T cells transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR-targeting siRNAs (siGAPDH 1, siGAPDH 2) or siRNA NC. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001. (D) Immunoblot analysis of FLAG-tagged exogenous GAPDH(E) and GAPDH in 293 T cells. Knockdown of endogenous GAPDH with siRNA followed by the overexpression of GAPDH (E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05; ns, not significant. (E) Relative mRNA expression of GAPDH in 293 T cells knockdowned endogenous GAPDH (siGAPDH) and overexpressed GAPDH (C) and GAPDH (E), respectively. Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ns, not significant. (F) GAPDH activity assay in 293 T cells transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR siRNA, and overexpressing GAPDH(C), GAPDH(E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 4 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; ns, not significant. (G) Concentrations of lactate and pyruvate in 293 T cells transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR siRNA, and overexpressing GAPDH(C), GAPDH(E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 4 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, and ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001. (H) Relative mRNA expression of IL-6 , TNF-α , and IL-1β in THP-1 cells which transfected with GAPDH 3′UTR siRNA, and overexpressing GAPDH(C) or GAPDH(E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗p < 0.05; ∗∗p < 0.01; ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ns, not significant. (I) The concentration of TNF-α in THP-1 cells that overexpressed GAPDH(C) or GAPDH(E). Data are the means ± SD and n = 3 per group. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test with ∗∗∗p < 0.001; ∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001; ns, not significant.

Article Snippet: Human TNF-α Precoated ELISA Kit , Dakewe , 1117202.

Techniques: Western Blot, Transfection, Expressing, Knockdown, Over Expression, Activity Assay, Concentration Assay

Journal: Redox Report : Communications in Free Radical Research

Article Title: Bilirubin reduces mortality in sepsis models by inhibiting NOX2-mediated formation of neutrophil extracellular traps

doi: 10.1080/13510002.2026.2664962

Figure Lengend Snippet: Effects of bilirubin against CLP-induced sepsis in mice. (A) Mice were subjected to CLP surgery and intravenously injected with bilirubin (40 mg/kg) or vehicle. Mice were monitored at 12-h intervals to check the survival rates. (B) After CLP surgery, all mice received intraperitoneal injection of an antibiotics mixture (ceftriaxone 50 mg/kg and metronidazole 35 mg/kg). Mice were then intravenously administered either bilirubin (40 mg/kg) or vehicle. The state of survival was monitored for 96 h. The survival rates between the bilirubin and the vehicle groups were statistically analyzed using the Mantel-Cox test ( N = 15). (C, D) Biomarkers for NETosis were measured in the plasma of sham or CLP mice treated with vehicle or bilirubin 12 h after injection. Cell-free DNAs were stained with PicoGreen (C) and the H3cit levels were assessed using the ELISA kit (D). (E, F) Pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (E) and IFN-γ (F) were analyzed in the plasma of the mice using specific ELISA kits. Each bar represents the mean ± SEM ( N = 5–8). Asterisks and numbers represent statistical significance and p- values by Mann–Whitney U test, respectively.

Article Snippet: Biochemical analyses were performed using the Human IFN-γ Quantikine ELISA Kit (R&D Systems; Minneapolis, MN), the Human TNF-α Quantikine ELISA Kit (R&D Systems; Minneapolis, MN), the Citrullinated Histone H3 ELISA Kit (Cayman Chemical; Ann Arbor, MI), and the Quant-iTTM PicoGreenTM dsDNA Assay Kit (Invitrogen; Waltham, MA).

Techniques: Injection, Clinical Proteomics, Staining, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, MANN-WHITNEY

Journal: Redox Report : Communications in Free Radical Research

Article Title: Bilirubin reduces mortality in sepsis models by inhibiting NOX2-mediated formation of neutrophil extracellular traps

doi: 10.1080/13510002.2026.2664962

Figure Lengend Snippet: Effects of bilirubin against LPS-induced sepsis in mice. (A) Mice were intraperitoneally injected with 40 mg/kg of LPS and intravenously injected with bilirubin (40 mg/kg) or vehicle. Mice were monitored at 12-h interval to check the survival rates. The survival rates were statistically analyzed using the Mantel-Cox test ( N = 15). (B, C) NETosis markers were measured in the plasma of PBS control or LPS-treated mice 12 h after bilirubin or vehicle injection. The plasma levels of cell-free DNAs and H3cit were analyzed using PicoGreen (B) and the ELISA kit (C), respectively. (D, E) Pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (D) and IFN-γ (E) were analyzed in the plasma using specific ELISA kits. Each bar represents the mean ± SEM ( N = 5–8). Asterisks and numbers represent statistical significance and p- values by Mann–Whitney U test, respectively.

Article Snippet: Biochemical analyses were performed using the Human IFN-γ Quantikine ELISA Kit (R&D Systems; Minneapolis, MN), the Human TNF-α Quantikine ELISA Kit (R&D Systems; Minneapolis, MN), the Citrullinated Histone H3 ELISA Kit (Cayman Chemical; Ann Arbor, MI), and the Quant-iTTM PicoGreenTM dsDNA Assay Kit (Invitrogen; Waltham, MA).

Techniques: Injection, Clinical Proteomics, Control, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, MANN-WHITNEY

Journal: Scientific Reports

Article Title: Plant extract mixture shows anti-inflammatory and barrier-strengthening effects and activates aryl hydrocarbon receptor in a 2D psoriasis model

doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-50000-8

Figure Lengend Snippet: Plant extract mixture downregulates inflammatory markers in the 2D psoriasis model. CaCl 2 -differentiated NHEKs were stimulated as described in Fig. . Gene expression levels of ( a ) IL1A , ( b ) IL1B, ( c ) IL1RN , ( d ) CXCL8 , ( e ) TNFA , ( f ) IL17C , ( g ) IL36G , ( h ) CSF2 , ( i ) VEGFA were measured. Statistical significance was tested by a, b, c, e, h) one-way ANOVA with subsequent Sidak’s multiple comparison test or d, f, g) Kruskal-Wallis test with subsequent Dunn’s multiple comparisons test ( n = 12, * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001; ns = not significant). Protein expression levels of ( j ) IL-8 and k) TNFα were measured in the supernatants of the cells by ELISA. Values for unstimulated control and plant extract-treated cells were below the detection limit of 31,3 pg/mL (IL-8) or 62,5 pg/mL (TNFα) and not detectable; therefore, no statistical analysis was performed. n.d.= non-detectable.

Article Snippet: TNFα and IL-8 concentrations were determined using commercial ELISA kits (human TNFα or human CXCL8/IL-8 DuoSet ELISA, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA) following the manufacturer’s protocol.

Techniques: Plant Extract, Gene Expression, Comparison, Expressing, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, Control