Creative Biolabs is one of the leading custom antibody generation and development providers. We specialize in the generation of antibodies against a wide range of targets for R&D, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. Currently, we have launched a series of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) antibody development services targeting numerous diagnostic biomarkers of human diseases. Here, we focus on the B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) as a marker of lymph cancer.
B-cell Lymphoma 2 (BCL-2)
The BCL-2 (B cell lymphoma 2) is encoded by the BCL2 gene in humans. It is a founding member of the BCL-2 family regulator protein which regulates cell death (apoptosis) by induction (pro-apoptotic) or inhibition (anti-cell Apoptosis) apoptosis. BCL-2 is considered to be an important anti-apoptotic protein. But it is not considered a proto-oncogene because it is not a growth signal transducer. The name of BCL-2 is derived from B-cell lymphoma2 because it is the second member of a series of proteins originally described in chromosomal translocations involving chromosomes 14 and 18 in follicular lymphomas. Orthologs (e.g., BCL-2 in mice) have been identified in many mammals for which available complete genome data are available. Like BCL-3, BCL-5, BCL-6, BCL7-A, BCL-9 and BCL-10, BCL-2 has clinical significance in lymphoma. BCL-2 is located on the outer membrane of mitochondria and it plays an important role in promoting cell survival and inhibiting the effect of pro-apoptotic proteins.
Fig.1 BCL-2 Family.
BCL-2 Marker of Lymph Cancer
Damage to the BCL-2 gene has been identified as a cause of many cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. Overexpression of anti-apoptotic genes and low expression of pro-apoptotic genes can lead to a lack of cell death which is characteristic of cancer. The overexpression of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 protein in lymphocytes alone does not cause cancer. However, simultaneous overexpression of BCL-2 and the proto-oncogene myc may produce invasive B cell malignancies including lymphoma. In follicular lymphoma, chromosomal translocation usually occurs between chromosome 14 and chromosome 18. The fused gene is deregulated resulting in transcription of excessively high levels of BCL-2. This reduces the tendency of these cells for apoptosis.
Fig.2 Dual role of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 at both the mitochondria and the ER. (Akl H., 2014)
The role of BCL-2 in Sepsis
There is prominent apoptosis of various cell types in experimental sepsis, which genetic manipulation of death and survival pathways play a role in the modulation of organ injury and survival. In a murine model of sepsis, it was investigated the effect of extracellular administration of two anti-apoptotic members of the BCL2 family of intracellular regulators of cell death. The report demonstrates that BCL2 or rhBCL2A1 protein markedly improves survival as assessed by surrogate markers of death. Although neither BCL2 nor BCL2A1 are a direct TLR2 ligand, TLR2 signaling is indicated that play a role in the protective activity of extracellularly administered BCL2A1 protein in vivo. By reducing apoptosis in multiple target tissues, treatment with rhBCL2A1 or rhBCL2 protein protects mice from sepsis and demonstrates an unexpected, potent activity of extracellularly administered BCL2 BH4-domain proteins. In conclusion, extracellular administration of BCL2 protein enables to reduce apoptosis and improve survival in a murine model of sepsis.
BCL-2 antibodies can be used for immunohistochemical identification of cells containing antigens. In healthy tissues, these antibodies react with B cells in the mantle area and some T cells. However, there is a significant increase in positive cells in follicular lymphoma as well as in many other forms of cancer. In some cases, the presence or absence of BCL-2 staining in biopsies may be important for the patient's prognosis or the likelihood of relapse.
IVD antibodies are extensively used in immunodiagnostic tools for disease screening and therapeutic monitoring. Through our role as a leading antibody service provider, Creative Biolabs is well-positioned to develop high-quality BCL-2-specific antibodies. Besides antibody generation, Creative Biolabs also offers diagnostic immunoassay development services, including feasibility analysis, assay design, assay protocol establishment, assay optimization, and kit production.
Creative Biolabs has successfully completed a number of IVD antibody generation and development projects for clients across the globe. If you are interested in our services, please contact us to discuss your project needs.
Reference
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