Myeloperoxidase (MPO) Antibodies

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies are specialized antibodies designed to target and detect myeloperoxidase, an enzyme found predominantly in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and, to a lesser extent, in monocytes. MPO is an essential part of the innate immune system, where it plays a critical role in microbial killing.

Content: MPO is an important biomarker for various physiological and pathological processes:

• Neutrophil Activity: MPO is a key component of the neutrophil’s arsenal for killing pathogens during infection. Elevated levels of MPO can indicate increased neutrophil activation, which is often seen in conditions associated with inflammation. Anti-MPO antibodies are used to study neutrophil behavior, degranulation, and the mechanisms of host defense against infections.
• Autoimmune Diseases (e.g., ANCA-associated Vasculitis): MPO is a target of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) in a subset of autoimmune diseases, known as MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV). This condition is characterized by inflammation and damage to small blood vessels. Anti-MPO antibodies are essential for diagnosing MPO-AAV, where they help detect the presence of autoantibodies against MPO in patient samples.

Applications: Myeloperoxidase antibodies are widely used in various research and clinical applications, including:

• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): To quantify MPO levels in biological fluids such as blood, urine, or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. ELISA using MPO antibodies is commonly used to measure systemic MPO levels as a marker of inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular risk. In clinical settings, elevated MPO levels can help assess the severity of inflammatory conditions and guide treatment strategies.
• Western Blotting (WB): To detect and quantify MPO in cell lysates or tissue extracts. Western blotting with MPO antibodies helps study the regulation of MPO expression and its role in various diseases. It can also be used to confirm the presence of MPO in samples from experimental models of inflammation or oxidative stress.
• Flow Cytometry: To analyze the expression of MPO in neutrophils and monocytes. Flow cytometry with MPO antibodies is useful for studying the activation and degranulation of neutrophils, as well as for identifying MPO-positive cells in mixed cell populations. This application is particularly relevant in research on immune responses and inflammatory disorders.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies are essential tools in immunology, cardiovascular research, and clinical diagnostics. They enable the study of neutrophil activity, the mechanisms of oxidative stress, and the role of MPO in various pathological processes.