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2010 April 16 – Three new IFA Emulsion Hooke Kits™: Ovalbumin, Pigeon Cytochrome c, and Hen Egg Lysozyme/IFA emulsions

Hooke Laboratories is pleased to announce the immediate availability of three new Hooke Emulsion Kits™ and their associated Hooke Control Kits™:

These products are intended to be used together with their associated CFA Emulsion Hooke Kits™ (EK-0301, EK-0311, and EK-0303).

Each new Hooke Emulsion Kit™ contains antigen emulsified in Incomplete Freund’s Adjuvant (IFA).

These Hooke Kits™ will induce production of high concentrations of antibodies specific to each antigen. A detailed protocol describing use of these kits is available on Hooke's web site.

Each kit is delivered in pre-filled syringes, ready to use, and contains enough emulsion for immunization of 20 mice.

2010 April 12 – Updated protocol for EAE induction by active immunization in SJL mice

Hooke Laboratories, Inc. has issued an updated version of their recommended protocol for EAE Induction by Active Immunization in SJL Mice, for use with Hooke Emulsion Kits™ PLP139-151/CFA Emulsion (EK-0120), PLP139-151/CFA Emulsion PTX (EK-0121), and PLP139-151/CFA Emulsion PTXx2 (EK-0123).

The updated protocol recommends 4 injections of 0.05 mL per mouse, instead of 2 injections of 0.1 mL per mouse. This modified protocol induces EAE in a larger proportion of mice (at least 80% of mice), with less variability from experiment to experiment.

The revised protocol is available for immediate download from Hooke's web site.

2009 August 24 – Pigeon Cytochrome c, Hen Egg Lysozyme Immunization Kits

Hooke Laboratories, Inc. has introduced two new Hooke Emulsion Kits™ for immunization, Pigeon Cytochrome c/CFA Emulsion (EK-0302), and Hen Egg Lysozyme/CFA Emulsion (EK-0303).

These two new immunization kits expand Hooke's range of kits for inducing immune response in rodents.

Also introduced today are a set of accompanying Hooke Control Kits™: CK-0302, CK-5302, CK-0303, and CK-5303. These are identical to the newly introduced Hooke Emulsion Kits™, except that they contain no specific antigens, and may be used to control for effects of the adjuvant components in Hooke Emulsion Kits™.

All the products introduced today are available immediately.

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2009 August 18 – MOG1-125 Hooke Emulsion Kits™ for EAE induction

Hooke Laboratories, Inc. is pleased to announce the immediate availability of two new Hooke Emulsion Kits™ for induction of EAE in C57BL/6 mice, catalog numbers EK-0162 and EK-0164 – MOG1-125/CFA Emulsion PTX, as well as a set of associated Hooke Control Kits™.

These products are recommended for testing therapeutics aimed at impairing B-cell function, as they induce EAE using human recombinant myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (1-125) (MOG1-125).

Published clinical data has shown that B-cells play a pathogenic role in human multiple sclerosis (MS).

Unlike peptide-induced EAE (using antigens MOG35-55 or MBP1-11), human MOG1-125 induced EAE is reported to be dependent on B-cell presence. Therefore MOG1-125-induced EAE is likely a good model for testing therapeutics which target B-cells.

See our Learning Center for information on model and antigen selection, and product details for guidance on pertussis toxin (PTX) dosage.

2009 August 10 – New "PTXx2" PLP139-151/CFA Emulsion, updated protocol

Hooke Laboratories, Inc. has introduced a new Hooke Emulsion Kit™, PLP139-151/CFA Emulsion PTXx2 (EK-0123) which provides for a second pertussis toxin (PTX) injection. The new kit joins Hooke's existing EK-0120 and EK-0121 products intended for induction of EAE in SJL mice.

The new EK-0123 Hooke Kit™ is recommended for observation of incidence and severity of the first wave of EAE, as it induces EAE with higher incidence and greater severity in the first wave.

Hooke's protocol for EAE induction in SJL mice has also been updated, both to provide guidance on the use of the new Hooke Kit™, and to provide detailed illustrations of procedures for successful EAE induction.

2009 May 15 – Family of Hooke Control Kits™ Released

A complete line of Hooke Control Kits™ are now available to accompany Hooke Emulsion Kits™.

Hooke Control Kits™ enable distinction between responses induced by adjuvant components of Hooke Emulsion Kits™ and those induced by a specific antigen. This distinction is important in the study of immune response mechanisms. Hooke Control Kits™ are identical to the corresponding Hooke Emulsion Kits™, except that they contain no specific antigens.

Most kits are offered in two sizes – a full size kit with the same quantity of emulsion provided in the corresponding Hooke Emulsion Kit™, and a half size kit suitable for smaller control groups.

The adjuvant components of Hooke Emulsion Kits™ typically induce immune responses including skin inflammation, enlargement of spleen, and increase in cytokine production. These effects result from the adjuvant component of the kit, not the specific antigen component. Like Hooke Emulsion Kits™, the new products are supplied in pre-filled syringes, ready to use.

Detailed information on the new products is available online at http://hookelabs.com.

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2009 January 26 – Bovine Type II Collagen Emulsion Hooke Kits™

Hooke Laboratories, Inc. has announced the immediate availability of two new Hooke Kit™ products for induction of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), one of the most commonly used animal models of human rheumatoid arthritis, in DBA/1 mice.

Hooke Kit™ EK-0220, Bovine Collagen/CFA Emulsion, is used to immunize DBA/1 mice with bovine type II collagen emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Three weeks later, a booster dose of bovine type II collagen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) is administered using Hooke Kit™ EK-0221, Bovine Collagen/IFA Emulsion.

CIA is consistently induced by these new Hooke Kits™ 16-35 days after immunization in 90–100% of male DBA/1 mice, and in 60–100% of female DBA/1 mice.

The pre-characterized Hooke Kits™ introduced today are supplied in pre-filled syringes, ready to use. Each batch is extensively tested and adjusted for consistent potency and reliable CIA induction.

Full product details and recommended experimental protocols are available on the company’s web site, http://hookelabs.com.

2009 January 9 – Updated EAE Induction Protocol

Hooke Laboratories has released an updated version of the EAE Induction by Active Immunization in C57BL/6 Mice protocol for use with MOG35-55/CFA Emulsion PTX Hooke Kits™.

This updated protocol provides more detailed instructions with illustrations of procedures for successful EAE induction.

Successful EAE induction requires low-stress mouse handling and husbandry procedures, good injection technique (see detailed illustrations in the protocol), use of appropriate mice, and good quality, stable, antigen emulsion together with the correct amount of pertussis toxin.

For reliable EAE induction, the protocol recommends:

The updated protocol is available immediately on Hooke's web site.

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2008 December 15 – MOG35-55 and PLP139-151 Peptides in Solution

Hooke Laboratories is pleased to announce the immediate availability of two new peptide products, MOG35-55 in TC Media, 100x (catalog number DS-0111), and PLP139-151 in TC Media, 100x (catalog number DS-0121).

These peptides are offered in tissue culture media (10% fetal bovine serum in RPMI 1640), ready to use.

They are suitable for analysis of T cell functions in vitro, and for production of encephalitogenic T cells in vitro for use in adoptive transfer models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

2008 November 24 – PLP139-151/CFA Emulsion PTX Hooke Kit™

Hooke Kit™ PLP139-151/CFA Emulsion PTX, catalog number EK-0121, is now available for ordering.

This Hooke Kit™ is intended for induction of remitting/relapsing EAE in female SJL mice.

The first wave of EAE will develop 10 to 14 days after immunization in 90 to 100% of mice, with a mean maximum severity of approximately 3.5 (scale 0–5).

Relapse will start around 25 days after immunization. By 40 days after immunization, approximately 50% of mice will relapse. Mean maximum severity of relapses will be around 2 (scale 0–5).

Two 1 ml syringes of PLP139-151/CFA emulsion and one 1 ml syringe of pertussis toxin are included, sufficient for 10 mice. A detailed protocol and MSDS data are available online.


2008 October 6 – New Ovalbumin/CFA Emulsion Hooke Kit™

Immediately available is Hooke Kit™ Ovalbumin/CFA Emulsion, catalog number EK-0301, containing chicken ovalbumin (hen egg albumin – OVA) emulsified in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant.

This new Hooke Kit™ can be used to immunize mice (and other species) for evaluation of cellular immunity and antibody responses, as well as induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH).

As with all Hooke Kits™, Ovalbumin/CFA Emulsion is delivered in pre-filled syringes, ready to use. Each EK-0301 kit contains enough emulsion for immunization of 5 to 20 mice, depending on dose.


2008 September 29 – Stronger MOG35-55/CFA emulsion Hooke Kits™

We are pleased to announce two new and stronger MOG35-55/CFA Emulsion PTX Hooke Kits™ for EAE induction, catalog numbers EK-0114 and EK-0115.

These kits are available immediately and contain MOG35-55 peptide emulsified in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA), with larger amounts of pertussis toxin (PTX) compared to our existing MOG35-55/CFA Emulsion PTX Hooke Kits™.

With these new products, Hooke offers a PTX dosage range of 1x to 5x, to accommodate a wider variety of mouse age, strain, breeder, and colony. Hooke Kits™ with higher doses of PTX will induce EAE of greater severity.

We recommend that new customers run 10 mice with our strongest Hooke Kit™ (EK-0115) and let us recommend the best Hooke Kit™ based on the results (EAE incidence and average severity).

Pertussis toxin enhances EAE development by providing additional adjuvant, compared to CFA alone. Injection of PTX affects cell trafficking, development of Th17 cells and integrity of the blood-brain barrier. In our experience, successful induction of EAE requires both good quality antigen emulsion and the appropriate amount of pertussis toxin.


2008 April 14 – Pre-Characterized Hooke Kits™ Eliminate Tedious Emulsion Preparation, Induce EAE and CIA

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Kits Accelerate Science by Saving Time In Testing, Ensuring Successful In Vivo Experiments

Hooke Laboratories, Inc. today announced the introduction of seven Hooke Kit™ products for immunization and induction of EAE and CIA in mice. For the first time, scientists studying autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis will no longer have to tediously prepare emulsions and test individual reagents before starting experiments.

The pre-characterized Hooke Kits™ introduced today are supplied in pre-filled syringes, ready to use. They ensure reliable and consistent disease induction, as each batch is extensively tested and individually adjusted for use with different sub-strains and ages of laboratory mice.

Properly prepared emulsions are critical for reliable induction of many autoimmune disease models, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE, a mouse model of human multiple sclerosis) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA, one of the most commonly used animal models of human rheumatoid arthritis). Hooke’s emulsions are pre-made and pre-tested to reduce the time needed to set up experiments.

Suzana Marusic, MD, PhD, President and Founder of Hooke Laboratories said “We’re really delighted with the consistent EAE and CIA induction rates we’ve been able to achieve with these kits. By choosing a Hooke Kit™ with potency adjusted for particular mouse sub-strains and ages, our customers can induce CIA in 100% of DBA/1 mice of either Taconic or Jackson origin – even in females, which is usually extremely difficult.”

The seven Hooke Kit™ products announced today are:

Hooke Kits™ MOG35-55/CFA Emulsion PTX for EAE Induction

Hooke Kits™ for Immunization

Hooke Kits™ for CIA Induction

Additional Hooke Kit™ products are in development, including Bovine Type II collagen emulsions for induction of CIA.

Full product details, including recommended experimental protocols and typical result data, are available on the company’s web site, http://hookelabs.com.

Hooke Laboratories offers innovations that make animal research more efficient and less expensive, with the goal of accelerating cures for human diseases while reducing and refining the use of animals. Hooke is working to be the leading company providing tools for in vivo research. The company was founded by immunologist Suzana Marusic, MD, PhD.