GZMK Antibodies

Granzyme K (GZMK) is a serine protease found primarily in the granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. Unlike its counterpart Granzyme B, GZMK induces apoptosis through a caspase-independent pathway and plays a role in both innate and adaptive immune responses. GZMK antibodies are critical for studying the role of this enzyme in immune responses, particularly in the context of infections, inflammation, and tumor immunology.

Content on GZMK Antibodies

GZMK, encoded by the GZMK gene, is part of the granzyme family of proteases and is released by activated CTLs and NK cells to trigger cell death in target cells. It acts on substrates different from Granzyme B, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis through distinct signaling pathways. GZMK antibodies target the GZMK protein with high specificity, allowing researchers to investigate its expression and role in immune responses. 

Application of GZMK Antibodies

• Western Blotting: GZMK antibodies are commonly used in Western blot assays to detect and quantify GZMK expression in immune cells, such as CTLs and NK cells. This technique is essential for understanding GZMK’s role in immune-mediated cell death, especially in response to infections or in tumor environments.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): GZMK antibodies allow for the localization of GZMK-expressing cells within tissue samples. In cancer immunology, IHC can be used to evaluate the infiltration of GZMK-positive immune cells into tumors, offering insights into the immune response within the tumor microenvironment.
• Flow Cytometry: GZMK antibodies are used in flow cytometry to detect intracellular levels of Granzyme K in individual immune cells. This method is valuable for studying the activation and cytotoxic potential of immune cells in real-time, especially in contexts like infection, cancer immunotherapy, or inflammation.
• Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): GZMK antibodies are utilized in ELISA assays to quantify soluble GZMK levels in serum or plasma. This application is beneficial in clinical studies to monitor immune responses and to evaluate the involvement of GZMK in immune-mediated pathologies, including chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases.
• Cancer Research: GZMK antibodies play a critical role in cancer immunology, where they are used to study the contribution of GZMK to tumor immunity. Understanding how GZMK-expressing CTLs and NK cells target tumor cells provides insights into new therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing immune responses against cancer.

By using GZMK antibodies, researchers can investigate the enzyme's unique role in immune-mediated apoptosis, inflammatory processes, and its implications in tumor biology and infectious diseases.