Epo Antibody

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone primarily produced by the kidneys in response to hypoxia (low oxygen levels). It plays a crucial role in the regulation of erythropoiesis, which is the process of producing red blood cells (RBCs) in the bone marrow. EPO stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells, leading to an increase in RBC production and, consequently, improved oxygen delivery to tissues.

EPO is composed of 165 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 30.4 kDa. It is heavily glycosylated, which is essential for its stability and biological activity. The gene encoding EPO is located on chromosome 7 in humans.

EPO has significant clinical applications, particularly in the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), cancer chemotherapy, and certain chronic diseases. Recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) is widely used as a therapeutic agent to stimulate erythropoiesis in patients with insufficient endogenous EPO production.

Mouse anti-human EPO antibodies are monoclonal antibodies developed in mice that specifically target human EPO. These antibodies are used in various research and diagnostic applications to detect and quantify EPO levels in biological samples.

Production and Characteristics

Mouse anti-human EPO antibodies are typically produced by immunizing mice with human EPO or EPO-derived peptides. The immune response generates B cells that produce antibodies against the EPO antigen. These B cells are then fused with myeloma cells to create hybridomas, which can be cultured to produce large quantities of monoclonal antibodies.

One example of a mouse anti-human EPO antibody is the monoclonal antibody clone AE7A5. This antibody recognizes an epitope within the first 26 amino acids at the NH2 terminus of human urinary and recombinant EPO. It binds to human and rat EPO but does not cross-react with EPO from other species such as sheep, baboon, or dog .

Applications

Mouse anti-human EPO antibodies are used in various applications, including:

• Western Blotting: To detect and quantify EPO protein levels in cell lysates and tissue samples.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): To localize EPO expression in tissue sections.
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): To measure EPO concentrations in serum, plasma, and other biological fluids.
• Immunoprecipitation: To isolate EPO from complex protein mixtures for further analysis.

These antibodies are valuable tools in both basic research and clinical diagnostics, providing insights into EPO biology and its role in various physiological and pathological conditions.