Inflammation

The enzymes of the Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) family assist in the degradation of the extracellular matrix, under both normal and pathological conditions. MMP antibodies have identified roles in a number of physiological processes, such as embryonic development and tissue remodelling. They also regulate enzyme cascades, expression of various proteins and the migration of both normal and malignant cells.

Antibody suppliers, such as us at Novus Biologicals, supply a wide range of cell marker products, among them the Osteopontin antibody. Recently, the osteopontin antibody has proven useful in hepatic cancer research.

Osteopontin (OPN) is mainly expressed by the osteoblasts; its primary function is in the mineralization of bone. However, OPN is expressed to a lower degree in other areas of the body, being involved in cell adhesion, cell migration and the inflammatory response.

The caspases are a group of cysteine protease enzymes essential to apoptosis, inflammation and necrosis. Caspase 3 has been identified as one of the key mediators of apoptosis.

Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa) is a cytokine protein that plays an essential role in inducing the systemic inflammatory response, being expressed in tissues throughout the body. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, TNF alpha causes negative clinical effects. These can be controlled by inhibitory TNF antibody drugs, a number of which are now on the market. We at Novus Biologicals have an extensive range of TNF alpha antibodies.

PTEN antibodies have shown PTEN to be an important tumor suppressor and, in mutated form, a factor in cancer development. However, a recent study, led by Robert Rickert, shows that the SHIP gene may also be an important tumor suppressor in B-cell lymphomas. We at Novus Biologicals have an extensive range of PTEN and SHIP antibodies in our antibody catalog.

Tau proteins are abundant in the axons of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), and play a key role in microtubule formation and stabilization. Antibody studies have identified six tau isoforms, all produced by alternative mRNA splicing of the MAPT gene. We at Novus Biologicals have nearly 50 antibodies matched to tau proteins on our antibody database.

We at Novus Biologicals are one of the leading antibody suppliers for products targeted to apoptosis. These products are regularly used by cancer research groups - apoptosis is fundamental to developing therapies that will kill tumor cells. Caspase proteins, which play a key role in apoptosis, are therefore regularly featured in our antibody catalog.

We at Novus Biologicals recently added two new MCP1 antibodies to our antibody catalog. MCP1, also known as MCAF (monocyte chemotactic and activating factor) is released by a diverse range of cell types as part of the inflammatory response. A member of the SIG (small inducible gene) family, it is selective for monocytes and basophils, mainly to recruit monocytes to injury and infection sites.