With years of experience, Creative Biolabs is a world-leading service provider of antibody development. Our scientists have been focusing on the development of high-quality in vitro diagnostic (IVD) antibodies for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma for years. Now, we have established a series of IVD antibody development services targeting the MUC5AC marker.
Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) is a gel-forming secreted mucin that belongs to the glycoprotein family. Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins, which can be structurally classified as membrane-bound and secreted forms. They are the major secretory components of mucus generated by respiratory tract epithelia and have an essential role in the defense against pathogenic and environmental challenges. MUC5AC, together with MUC5B, are the most abundant mucins expressed in the respiratory tract and are associated with mucus hypersecretion in the pulmonary tracts. MUC5AC shows a highly inducible expression in the airway. In the gastric mucosa, MUC5AC is one of the main components of the protective layer over the surface and functions as a selective diffusion barrier for HCl.
Fig.1 Schematic illustration of the MUC5AC glycoproteins. (Lillehoj, E. P., 2013)
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), also known as bile duct epithelial cancer, is a relatively rare cancer that always presents with a poor prognosis. Immunohistochemical studies have indicated that MUC5AC is related to the type and histological grading of cancer, as well as the cirrhotic condition of the patients. A previous study has indicated that MUC5AC, which was frequently and aberrantly expressed in CCA tumor tissues, can be easily detected in the serum of CCA patients when compared to those with benign hepatobiliary diseases or hepato-gastrointestinal cancers. Moreover, the expression of MUC5AC was localized in the biliary epithelial cells of the tumor tissues rather than the normal biliary cells. The high sensitivity and specificity of serum MUC5AC in the detection of CCA patients make it a potential marker for the diagnosis of CCA.
The detection of serum MUC5AC in combination with a scanning test such as CT or ultrasound scanning, or other biochemical methods, would enhance the accuracy of diagnosis for CCA patients with a known liver mass or cyst, making it possible to monitor after resection or chemotherapy for CCA. As an IVD antibody development service provider, Creative Biolabs can help you develop novel antibodies targeting this potential marker. Our team of technicians and specialists can provide polyclonal, monoclonal, and recombinant antibody development services for diagnostic use. Besides, we help develop high-quality IVD immunoassays of different formats, giving expert support in feasibility analysis, protocol establishment, assay design, validation, and kit production.
In addition to MUC5AC, Creative Biolabs also offers customized development services to obtain other biomarker-specific antibodies for in vitro diagnosis of CCA. Please contact us to discuss your project requirements.
Reference
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