"Staining Solutions"

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

This antibody recognises a protein of 25 to 26 kDa, identified as the Bcl-2 alpha oncoprotein. It shows no cross-reaction with Bcl-x or Bax protein. Expression of Bcl-2 alpha oncoprotein inhibits the programmed cell death (apoptosis). In most follicular lymphomas, neoplastic germinal centers express high levels of Bcl-2 alpha protein, whereas the normal or hyperplastic germinal centers are negative. Consequently, this antibody is valuable when distinguishing between reactive and neoplastic follicular proliferation in lymph node biopsies. It may also be used in distinguishing between those follicular lymphomas that express Bcl-2 protein and the small number in which the neoplastic cells are Bcl-2 negative.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

CD8 is a cell surface receptor expressed either as a heterodimer with the beta chain or as a homodimer. A majority of thymocytes and a subpopulation of mature Tcells and NK cells express CD8a. It binds to MHC class 1 and through its association with protein tyrosine kinase p56lck plays a role in Tcell development and activation of mature Tcells. For mature Tcells, CD8 and 4 are mutually exclusive, so antibody to CD8 is generally used in conjunction with antibody to CD4. CD8a antibody is a useful marker for distinguishing helper/inducer T-lymphocytes, and most peripheral Tcell lymphomas are CD4+/CD8-. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma is usually CD4+/CD8-, and in T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia, they are often co-expressed. It is also found in littoral cell angioma of the spleen.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

This antibody recognises a 21 kDa protein, identified as the p21 or p21WAF1 tumor suppressor protein. This antibody is highly specific and shows no cross-reaction with other closely related mitotic inhibitors. p21 is a specific inhibitor of cdk’s and a tumor suppressor involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of malignancies. The expression of this gene acts as an inhibitor of the cell cycle during G1 phase and is tightly controlled by the tumor suppressor protein p53. p21 expression is induced by the wild type, but not mutant, p53. Normal cells generally display a rather intense nuclear expression. Loss of p21 expression has been reported in many carcinomas (gastric carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma).

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

This mAb recognises a 21 kDa protein, identified as the p21WAF1 tumor suppressor protein. It is highly specific to p21 and shows no cross-reaction with other closely related mitotic inhibitors. p21WAF1 is a specific inhibitor of cdk s and a tumor suppressor involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of malignancies. The expression of this gene acts as an inhibitor of the cell cycle during G1 phase and is tightly controlled by the tumor suppressor protein p53. Its expression is induced by the wild type, but not mutant, p53 suppressor protein. Normal cells generally display a rather intense nuclear p21 expression. Loss of p21 expression has been reported in many carcinomas (gastric carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma).

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises 78 kDa moesin protein. Moesin, a member of the talin-4.1 superfamily, is a linking protein of the sub-membranous actin cytoskeleton. It is expressed in variable amounts in cells of different phenotypes such as macrophages, lymphocytes, fibroblastic, endothelial, epithelial, and neuronal cell lines but not in blood cells. The ERM proteins, ezrin, radixin, and moesin are involved in a variety of cellular functions, such as cell adhesion, migration, and the organization of cell surface structures, and are highly homologous, both in protein sequence and in functional activity, with merlin/schwannomin, a neurofibromatosis-2-associated tumor-suppressor protein. Cell lines of epithelial and mesothelial origin contain both moesin and radixin whereas cells of endothelial and lymphoid origin express moesin.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

This mAb is specific to kappa light chain of immunoglobulin and shows no cross-reaction with lambda light chain or any of the five heavy chains. It recognises human Ig kappa light chains of both secreted and cell surface immunoglobulin. It detects also free kappa light chains. In mammals, the two light chains in an antibody are always identical, with only one type of light chain, kappa or lambda. The ratio of Kappa to Lambda is 70:30. However, with the occurrence of multiple myeloma or other B-cell malignancies this ratio is disturbed. Antibody to the kappa light chain is reportedly useful in the identification of leukemias, plasmacytomas, and certain non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Demonstration of clonality in lymphoid infiltrates indicates that the infiltrate is malignant.

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. TAG72 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, TAG72 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-TAG72 and anti-GCDFP-15 is valuable in the diagnosis of apocrine carcinoma.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

This antibody recognises a cell surface glycoprotein of 80 to 95 kDa, called CD44, or HCAM, on lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes (Leucocyte Typing Workshop V). Its epitope is resistant to digestion by trypsin and chymotrypsin. The CD44 family of glycoproteins exists in a number of variant isoforms, the most common being the standard 85 to 95 kDa or hematopoietic variant (CD44-s). Higher molecular weight isoforms are described in epithelial cells (CD44-v), which are believed to function in intercellular adhesion and stromal binding. HCAM antibody immunostaining is commonly used for the discrimination of urothelial transitional cell carcinoma in-situ from non-neoplastic changes in the urothelium.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

CD8 is a cell surface receptor expressed either as a heterodimer with the beta chain or as a homodimer. A majority of thymocytes and a subpopulation of mature Tcells and NK cells express CD8a. It binds to MHC class 1 and through its association with protein tyrosine kinase p56lck plays a role in Tcell development and activation of mature Tcells. For mature Tcells, CD8 and 4 are mutually exclusive, so antibody to CD8 is generally used in conjunction with antibody to CD4. CD8a antibody is a useful marker for distinguishing helper/inducer T-lymphocytes, and most peripheral Tcell lymphomas are CD4+/CD8-. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma is usually CD4+/CD8-, and in T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia, they are often co-expressed. It is also found in littoral cell angioma of the spleen.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises a 60 kDa protein, identified as the heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60). Its epitope is localized between amino acids 383-447 of human Hsp60. A wide variety of environmental and pathophysiological stressful conditions trigger the synthesis of a family of proteins known as heat shock proteins (hsps), more appropriately called as stress response proteins (srps). Hsp60 is a potential antigen in a number of autoimmune diseases. In human arthritis and in experimentally induced arthritis in animals, disease development coincides with the development of immune reactivity directed against not only bacterial Hsp60, but also against its mammalian homolog.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises a carbohydrate determinant of Gal 1-3(Fuc 1-4) GlcNAc which is blood group antigen Lewis A. It is present primarily on epithelial cells such as colon and kidneys. In the tumors and dedifferentiated tissues, decrease of Lewis A antigen was observed. Lewis A (type 1 chain) is expressed in colonic epithelial cells and may be useful for detection of gastrointestinal tumors, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal tumors. Blood group related antigens represent a group of carbohydrate determinants carried on both glycolipids and glycoproteins. They are usually mucin-type, and are detected on erythrocytes, certain epithelial cells, and in secretions of certain individuals. Sixteen genetically and biosynthetically distinct but inter-related specificities belong to this group of antigens, including A, B, H, Lewis A, Lewis B, Lewis X, Lewis Y, and precursor type 1 chain antigens.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

Recognises a protein of 210-220 kDa, which is identified as the Complement receptor 1 or CD35. This mAb is specific for a site in CR1 that is distal from the C3b-binding site, so that it is unable to block CR1/CD35 activity. It is highly specific and shows no cross-reaction with CR2/CD21. The primary function of CR1 is to serve as the cellular receptor for C3b and C4b, the most important components of the complement system leading to clearance of foreign macromolecules. The Knops blood group system is a system of antigens located on this protein. Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are restricted to the B-cell regions of secondary lymphoid follicles. They are CD21+/CD35+/CD1a-. This mAb labels follicular dendritic cells and follicular dendritic cell sarcoma.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

The tetraspanins are integral membrane proteins expressed on cell surface and granular membranes of hematopoietic cells and are components of multi-molecular complexes with specific integrins. The tetraspanin CD63 is a lysosomal membrane glycoprotein that translocates to the plasma membrane after platelet activation. CD63 is expressed on activated platelets, monocytes and macrophages, and is weakly expressed on granulocytes, T cell and B cells. It is located on the basophilic granule membranes and on the plasma membranes of lymphocytes and granulocytes. CD63 is a member of the TM4 superfamily of leukocyte glycoproteins that includes CD9, CD37 and CD53, which contain four transmembrane regions. CD63 may play a role in phagocytic and intracellular lysosome-phagosome fusion events. CD63 deficiency is associated with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome and is strongly expressed during the early stages of melanoma progression.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

This antibody recognises a protein of 56.5 kDa, identified as cytokeratin 10 (CK10). cytokeratin 10 is expressed in all suprabasal layers of the epidermis. In the epidermis, expression of cytokeratin 10 strictly parallels the extent of differentiation; it is absent in the basal layer, appears in the first suprabasal layers and increases in concentration towards the granular layer. However, cytokeratin 10 is rarely detected in early stages of vulvar squamous carcinomas (tumors less than 2 cm, clinical stage I) regardless of the tumor grade. In larger and more advanced tumors (greater than 2 cm, clinical stages II and III), cytokeratin 10 is detected very frequently. Expression of cytokeratin 10 is related to maturation of malignant keratinocytes, being preferentially detected in more-differentiated parts.

Supplier: ProSci Inc.

There are two types of cytokeratins/keratins/CKs: the acidic type I cytokeratins and the basic or neutral type II cytokeratins. The subsets of cytokeratins which an epithelial cell expresses depends mainly on the type of epithelium, the moment in the course of terminal differentiation and the stage of development. Thus this specific keratin fingerprint allows the classification of all epithelia upon their keratin expression profile. Furthermore this applies also to the malignant counterparts of the epithelia (carcinomas), as the keratin profile tends to remain constant when an epithelium undergoes malignant transformation. The main clinical implication is that the study of the keratin profile by immunohistochemistry techniques is a tool of immense value widely used for tumor diagnosis and characterization in surgical pathology. [Wiki].

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. TAG72 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, TAG72 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-TAG72 and anti-GCDFP-15 is valuable in the diagnosis of apocrine carcinoma.