subject: Use Of Tenascin C Antibodies In Cancer Research [print this page] Tenascin C is a hexameric, multifunctional multidomain protein found in the extracellular matrix. An antibody database was first established in the early 1980s, when it was initially categorised as a 'myotendinous antigen.' A high molecular weight protein with disulphide- linked subunits of 190 to 240 kD, tenascin antibodies have been used in numerous studies on normal, tumerous and pathologically altered tissues. However, it has only been in fairly recent times that more specific studies have been done.
During embryonic development, tenascin is located in the mesenchyme around epithelial cells, as well as developing cartilage and bone. In adults, it is present in the myotendinous junctions of the periosteum and perichondrium, as well as smooth muscle cells. It has been shown to be expressed in the stroma and neovasculature of undifferentiated cancer cells. Recently, retrospective analysis of existing pathology files, plus new studies on samples collected from cancer patients, has allowed researchers to propose specific roles for tenascin in pathological tissue conditions and carcinogenesis.
Tenascin immunoreactivity is significant in breast cancer cells, where it could point to a role in metastasis and cell survival. Recent retrospective studies backed this up, showing tenascin expression in early breast cancer correlated markedly with a higher risk of metastasis occurring elsewhere. Results from the latest studies clearly indicate that tenascin expression in the invasion border of early breast cancer cells correlates with increased rate of proliferation and an increased risk of recurrence of tumour cell growth locally. This suggests a widespread use for tenascin antibodies in determining what therapies to use on small breast tumours. The earlier a cancer is targeted, the more likely it is to respond to treatment.
Recently, tenascin was shown to be significantly expressed in the airways of asthmatics, but rapidly decreased following aerosol treatment. This points to a therapeutic role in monitoring asthma patients before and after novel and existing treatments. We at Novus Biologicals recently added several new tenascin antibodies to our antibody catalogue.
by: Nick Campbell
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