Eye and cornea research made easier by two antibodies

St. Paul, MN-A global biotechnology company focused in inflammation and neurology research, announced the launch of two monoclonal antibodies (Lumican and Keratocan, MD Biosciences). Both antibodies play a role in the development and maintenance of corneal transparency making them ideal for applications in eye and cornea research.

The antibodies belong to the Small Leucine Rich Proteglycan family. Keratocan originally was found to be a cornea-specific keratan sulphate proteoglycan. Lumican is a proteoglycan expressed in extracellular matrix and connective tissues where it has been reported to contribute to collagen fibrillogenesis, tissue hydration, migration, and proliferation.

Lumican modified with keratan sulphate, constitutes one of the major proteoglycans of the corneal stroma, where it stimulates cell migration on the corneal epithelium and also is believed to play a regulatory role for keratocan.

The Lumican antibody recognizes a protein epitope and is specific for human, bovine, mouse, and porcine tissues. The keratocan antibody recognizes a protein core epitope and is specific for human, bovine, porcine, mouse, and chicken tissues.