Autoantibody Products

Autoantibodies represent a class of proteins produced by immune system, but mistakenly target and assault the body's own tissues or cells. Creative Biolabs provides a variety of autoantibody products to meet our global clients' research demands.

Introduction of Autoantibody

Instead of targeting foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses, autoantibodies mistakenly attack the body's own healthy tissues and organs. This misguided immune reaction encompasses a diverse spectrum of autoimmune disorders, each characterized by a distinct array of symptoms and targeted organs.

Fig. 1 Multiple pathways lead to autoantibody-induced pathology.^1,2

At the core of autoimmune diseases resides the immune system's inability to discern between "self" and "non-self." Typically, the immune system generates antibodies to identify and eradicate external threats to the body's wellbeing. Nevertheless, in certain individuals, the immune system experiences a malfunction, resulting in the production of antibodies that erroneously target and assault the body's own cellular, tissue, or organ structures. These erroneously directed antibodies are termed autoantibodies.

Autoantibodies can target various parts of the body, leading to a diverse array of autoimmune diseases. Illustratively, rheumatoid arthritis exemplifies how autoantibodies assault the joints, eliciting inflammation, discomfort, and rigidity. In type 1 diabetes, these misguided antibodies dismantle insulin-secreting cells within the pancreas, precipitating insulin deficiency and elevated blood glucose levels. Multiple sclerosis showcases autoantibodies assaulting the myelin sheath encasing nerve fibers, thereby impeding communication between the brain and the body's periphery. Lupus, a systemic autoimmune disorder, can pervasively impact numerous organs such as the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain, stemming from autoantibody generation.

Targets involved in Autoantibodies

Autoantibodies can involve a wide range of target proteins. These target proteins are often components of healthy tissues or cellular structures and may trigger autoimmune response when recognized by autoantibodies. Here are some examples of target proteins involved in autoantibody-mediated autoimmune diseases:

Insulin and Insulin Receptors

In type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), autoantibodies target insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to their destruction and subsequent insulin deficiency. Additionally, some autoantibodies may also target insulin receptors on cells, interfering with insulin signaling and glucose metabolism.

Collagen and Other Extracellular Matrix Proteins

Autoantibodies in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus can target collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix, causing inflammation and tissue damage in joints, skin, and other organs.

Thyroid Hormone Receptors and Thyroglobulin

In autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, autoantibodies target thyroid hormone receptors (TSH receptors) and thyroglobulin, leading to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, respectively.

Muscle Proteins (e.g., Myosin, Actin)

In autoimmune myositis, autoantibodies attack muscle proteins like myosin and actin, causing muscle weakness, pain, and inflammation.

Nuclear Antigens (e.g., DNA, Histones)

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are a broad class of autoantibodies that target nuclear components like DNA and histones. They are commonly found in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and can indicate the presence of an autoimmune process.

Cytokines and Inflammatory Mediators

While not directly targeting proteins within tissues, some autoantibodies may target cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, amplifying or perpetuating the autoimmune response.

Neuronal Proteins and Synaptic Components

In neurological autoimmune diseases, autoantibodies may target neuronal proteins and synaptic components, disrupting nerve signal transmission and causing neurological symptoms.

Endothelial Cell Proteins

Autoantibodies in vasculitis and other autoimmune diseases may target endothelial cell proteins, leading to inflammation and damage of blood vessels.

Platelet-Derived Proteins

In autoimmune thrombocytopenia, autoantibodies target platelet-derived proteins, causing platelet destruction and a decrease in platelet count.

As a preeminent service provider specializing in antibody discovery and production, Creative Biolabs boasts confidence in delivering the finest and most tailored products to cater to our esteemed customers' needs. Specifically, we offer hundreds of recombinant autoantibodies, which are instrumental in supporting autoimmune studies. If you find that some of our autoantibody products meet your needs, please feel free to contact us without hesitation.

References

1. Ludwig, Ralf J., et al. "Mechanisms of autoantibody-induced pathology." Frontiers in immunology 8 (2017): 603.
2. Use under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.

For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.