PSMA Antibody

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced primarily by the prostatic epithelium and the epithelial lining of the periurethral glands. It belongs to the kallikrein family of proteases and is secreted into the seminal fluid, where it plays a crucial role in liquefying the gel formed after ejaculation by digesting the major gel-forming proteins .

PSA is a 33 kDa protein that is strongly expressed in both normal and neoplastic prostatic tissue. Although PSA is considered prostate-specific, low levels of PSA and/or PSA gene expression have been detected in some extraprostatic tissues such as normal breast tissue, breast tumors, breast milk, female serum, endometrium, adrenal neoplasms, and renal cell carcinomas .

The monoclonal mouse anti-human PSA antibody, such as Clone ER-PR8, is intended for use in immunohistochemistry (IHC). This antibody labels prostatic epithelium and is a useful aid for the classification of cancer of prostatic origin. Differential classification is aided by the results from a panel of antibodies .

IHC is a technique used to visualize the presence and location of proteins in tissue sections. The monoclonal mouse anti-human PSA antibody is used in IHC to detect PSA in tissue samples. This is particularly useful in diagnosing and classifying prostate cancer. The antibody binds specifically to PSA, allowing pathologists to identify prostatic tissue and differentiate it from other types of tissue .

In prostate cancer, the architecture and polarization of the epithelial cells are deranged, leading to active secretion of PSA into the extracellular space and circulation. This makes PSA a valuable biomarker for prostate cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Elevated levels of PSA in the blood can indicate the presence of prostate cancer, although other conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis can also cause elevated PSA levels .