"Staining Solutions"

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises a protein of 75 kDa, identified as mu heavy chain of human immunoglobulins. It does not cross-react with alpha (IgA), gamma (IgG), epsilon (IgE), or delta (IgD), heavy chains, T-cells, monocytes, granulocytes, or erythrocytes. Monomeric IgM is expressed as a membrane bound antibody on the surface of B cells and as a pentamer when secreted by plasma cells. IgM antibody is prominent in early immune responses to most antigens. Aberrant levels are associated with immune deficiency states, hereditary deficiencies, myeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, chronic infection and hepatocellular disease. This mAb is useful in the identification of leukemias, plasmacytomas, and certain non-Hodgkins lymphomas. The most common feature of these malignancies is the restricted expression of a single heavy chain class. Demonstration of clonality in lymphoid infiltrates indicates that the infiltrate is clonal and therefore malignant.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

This antibody reacts with a protein of 22 kDa, identified as beta subunit of HCG. It does not cross react with the alpha subunit. HCG is a glycoprotein which is secreted in large quantities by normal trophoblasts. It is present only in trace amounts in non-pregnant urine and sera but rises sharply during pregnancy. HCG is composed of two non-identical, non-covalently linked polypeptide chains designated as the alpha and beta subunits. The alpha subunit is identical to that of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). HCG-beta antibody detects cells and tumors of trophoblastic origin such as choriocarcinoma. Large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung demonstrate antibody positivity in 90% and 60% of cases respectively; 20% of lung squamous cell carcinomas are positive. HCG expression by non-trophoblastic tumors may indicate aggressive behavior.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises a protein of 42-46 kDa, identified as MAGE-1. This mAb does not cross-react with MAGE-2, -3, -4, -6 -9, -10, -or -12 protein. Human malignant neoplasms carry rejection antigens that are recognized by the patients' autologous, tumor directed and specific, cytolytic, CD8+ T lymphocyte clones (CTL). The MAGE family of genes codes an important group of antigens. It was identified that melanomas and primary glial brain tumors express common melanoma associated antigens (MAAs). Because MAGE-1 is expressed on a significant proportion of human neoplasms of various histological types (melanoma, brain tumors of glial origin, neuroblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, breast, gastric, colorectal, ovarian, renal cell carcinomas) and not on normal tissues, the encoded antigen may serve as a marker of early detection and target for cancer immunotherapy.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Multiple isoelectric variants of calponin have been identified, however only two molecular weight isoforms exist; a 34 kDa form and a 29 kDa form. Expression of the 29 kDa form, I-calponin, is primarily restricted to muscle of the urogenital tract, whereas the higher molecular weight variant has been demonstrated in vascular and visceral smooth muscle. In Western blotting, this mAb reacts with only the 34 kDa form of calponin in extracts of human aortic medial smooth muscle and is unreactive with fibroblast extracts of cultivated human foreskin. Calponin is a calmodulin, F-actin and tropomyosin binding protein, which is thought to be involved in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. Calponin expression is restricted to smooth muscle cells and has been shown to be a marker of the differentiated (contractile) phenotype of developing smooth muscle.

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The CD34 protein is a member of a family of single-pass transmembrane sialomucin proteins that show expression on early hematopoietic and vascular-associated tissue. CD34 is an important adhesion molecule and is required for T cells to enter lymph nodes. It is expressed on lymph node endothelia, whereas the L-selectin to which it binds is on the T cell. Conversely, under other circumstances CD34 has been shown to act as molecular Teflon and block mast cell, eosinophil and dendritic cell precursor adhesion, and to facilitate opening of vascular lumens. Finally, recent data suggest CD34 may also play a more selective role in chemokine-dependent migration of eosinophils and dendritic cell precursors. Regardless of its mode of action, under all circumstances CD34, and its relatives podocalyxin and endoglycan, facilitates cell migration. [Wiki].

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

This mAb recognises a protein of 40 kDa, identified as Thyroid transcription factor 1. TTF1 is a member of the NKx2 family of homeodomain transcription factors. It is expressed in epithelial cells of the thyroid gland and the lung. Nuclei from liver, stomach, pancreas, small intestine, colon, kidney, breast, skin, testes, pituitary, prostate, and adrenal glands are unreactive. antibody to TTF1 is useful in differentiating primary adenocarcinoma of the lung from metastatic carcinomas originating in the breast, mediastinal germ cell tumors, and malignant mesothelioma. The antibody can also be used to differentiate small cell lung carcinoma from lymphoid infiltrates. Loss of expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma has been associated with aggressive behavior of such neoplasms. TTF1 reactivity is also seen in thyroid malignancies.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Eukaryotic histones are basic and water-soluble nuclear proteins that form hetero-octameric nucleosome particles by wrapping 146 base pairs of DNA in a left-handed super-helical turn sequentially to form chromosomal fiber. Two molecules of each of the four core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) form the octamer; formed of two H2A-H2B dimers and two H3-H4 dimers, forming two nearly symmetrical halves by tertiary structure. Over 80% of nucleosomes contain the linker Histone H1, derived from an intronless gene that interacts with linker DNA between nucleosomes and mediates compaction into higher order chromatin. Histones are subject to posttranslational modification by enzymes primarily on their N-terminal tails, but also in their globular domains. Such modifications include methylation, citrullination, acetylation, phosphorylation, sumoylation, ubiquitination and ADP-ribosylation.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

This mAb reacts only with the intact-HCG and not with either free alpha- or free beta-chain of HCG. HCG is a glycoprotein and is composed of two non-identical, non-covalently linked polypeptide chains designated as the alpha and beta subunits. The alpha subunit is identical to that of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). HCG is secreted in large quantities by normal trophoblasts. It is present only in trace amounts in non-pregnant urine and sera but rises sharply during pregnancy. HCG mAb detects cells and tumors of trophoblastic origin such as choriocarcinoma. Large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung demonstrate anti-hCG positivity in 90% and 60% of cases respectively. 20% of lung squamous cell carcinomas are positive. HCG expression by non-trophoblastic tumors may indicate aggressive behavior.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises an oncofetal antigen of 220 kDa, identified as a tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG-72) with properties of a mucin. This mAb defines the mucin-carried sialylated-Tn epitope. TAG-72 is usually expressed by adenocarcinomas, but is negative in mesotheliomas. Studies have reported that this antibody has 80% sensitivity and 93% specificity for pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Therefore, TAG-72 is a useful marker to distinguish between mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma. However, false positive reactions can occur so results must be interpreted with the utmost caution. This antibody may be useful in the differentiation of non-small cell carcinomas from small cell carcinomas of the lung. The combined use of anti-TAG-72 and anti-GCDFP-15 is valuable in the diagnosis of apocrine carcinoma.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Thyroglobulin is a 660 kDa dimeric pre-protein with mutiple glycosylation sites. It is produced by and processed within the thyroid gland to produce the hormone thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Prior to forming dimers, thyroglobulin monomers undergo conformational maturation in the endoplasmic reticulation. The vast majority of follicular carcinomas of the thyroid will give positive immunoreactivity for anti-thyroglobulin even though sometimes only focally. Poorly differentiated carcinomas of the thyroid are frequently anti-thyroglobulin negative. Adenocarcinomas of other-than-thyroid origin do not react with this antibody. This antibody is useful in identification of thyroid carcinoma of the papillary and follicular types. Presence of thyroglobulin in metastatic lesions establishes the thyroid origin of tumor. Anti-thyroglobulin, combined with anti-calcitonin, can identify medullary carcinomas of the thyroid. Furthermore, anti-thyroglobulin, combined with anti-TTF1, can be a reliable marker to differentiate between primary thyroid and lung neoplasms.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises a protein of 40 kDa, identified as NKX2.1 or Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1). TTF-1 is a member of the NKx2 family of homeodomain transcription factors. It is expressed in epithelial cells of the thyroid gland and the lung. Nuclei from liver, stomach, pancreas, small intestine, colon, kidney, breast, skin, testes, pituitary, prostate, and adrenal glands are unreactive. Anti-NKX2.1 is useful in differentiating primary adenocarcinoma of the lung from metastatic carcinomas originating in the breast, mediastinal germ cell tumors, and malignant mesothelioma. It can also be used to differentiate small cell lung carcinoma from lymphoid infiltrates. Loss of NKX2.1 expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma has been associated with aggressive behavior of such neoplasms. Reactivity is also seen in thyroid malignancies.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

CD45RA is an isoform of the human leukocyte common antigen (CD45). Human CD45 contains three exons which encode peptide segments designated A, B and C, respectively. The differential splicing of the exons generates at least five isoforms, ABC, AB, BC, B and O. This antibody reacts with ABC and BC isoforms. CD45RA is expressed on 40-50% of peripheral CD4+ T-cells, 50% of peripheral CD8+ T-cells, B-cells, and leukemic B-cell lines. T-cells expressing CD45RA are naive or virgin T-cells. T-cells expressing CD45RO are memory T-cells. CD45RA and CD45RO define complementary, predominantly non-overlapping populations of resting peripheral T-cells. This MAb is useful in study on the subpopulation of CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells. It can especially be used to differentiate T-cell lymphomas (CD45RO +ve) from B cell lymphomas (CD45RA +ve).

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

CD45RA is an isoform of the human leukocyte common antigen (CD45). Human CD45 contains three exons which encode peptide segments designated A, B and C, respectively. The differential splicing of the exons generates at least five isoforms, ABC, AB, BC, B and O. This antibody reacts with ABC and BC isoforms. CD45RA is expressed on 40-50% of peripheral CD4+ T-cells, 50% of peripheral CD8+ T-cells, B-cells, and leukemic B-cell lines. T-cells expressing CD45RA are naive or virgin T-cells. T-cells expressing CD45RO are memory T-cells. CD45RA and CD45RO define complementary, predominantly non-overlapping populations of resting peripheral T-cells. This MAb is useful in study on the subpopulation of CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells. It can especially be used to differentiate T-cell lymphomas (CD45RO +ve) from B cell lymphomas (CD45RA +ve).

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises a protein of 12 kDa, identified as beta-2 microglobulin. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 1 molecules bind to antigens for presentation on the surface of cells. The proteasome is responsible for producing these antigens from the components of foreign pathogens. MHC class 1 molecules consist of an alpha heavy chain that contains three subdomains (alpha1, alpha2, alpha3) and a non-covalent associating light chain, known as beta-2-Microglobulin. Beta-2-Microglobulin associates with the alpha3 subdomain of the alpha heavy chain and forms an immunoglobulin domain-like structure that mediates proper folding and expression of MHC class 1 molecules. The alpha1 and alpha2 domains of the alpha heavy chain form the peptide antigen-binding cleft. Mutations in the beta-2-Microglobulin gene can enhance the progression of malignant melanoma phenotypes.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) belongs to the type II (or B or basic) subfamily of high molecular weight cytokeratins and exists in combination with cytokeratin 18 (CK18). CK8 is primarily found in the non-squamous epithelia and is present in majority of adenocarcinomas and ductal carcinomas. It is absent in squamous cell carcinomas. Hepatocellular carcinomas are defined by the use of antibodies that recognize only cytokeratin 8 and 18. CK8 exists on several types of normal and neoplastic epithelia, including many ductal and glandular epithelia such as colon, stomach, small intestine, trachea, and esophagus as well as in transitional epithelium. Anti-CK8 does not react with skeletal muscle or nerve cells. Epithelioid sarcoma, chordoma, and adamantinoma show strong positivity corresponding to that of simple epithelia (with antibodies against CK8, CK18 and CK19). Reportedly, anti-CK8 is useful for the differentiation of lobular ('ring-like, perinuclear') from ductal ('peripheral-predominant') carcinoma of the breast.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises a protein of 47-55 kDa, which is identified as FOXP3. Its precise epitope is not known, but it has been mapped to the N-terminal portion of the protein. The FOX family of transcription factors is a large group of proteins that share a common DNA binding domain termed a winged-helix or forkhead domain. During early development, FOXP1 and FOXP2 are expressed abundantly in the lung, with lower levels of expression in neural, intestinal and cardiovascular tissues, where they act as transcription repressors. FOXP1 is widely expressed in adult tissues, while neoplastic cells often exhibit a dramatic change in expression level or localization of FOXP1. Mutations in FOXP3 gene cause IPEX, a fatal, X-linked inherited disorder characterised by immune dysregulation. The FOXP3 protein is essential for normal immune homeostasis. Specifically, FOXP3 represses transcription through a DNA binding forkhead domain, thereby regulating T cell activation.