TRANSTHYRETIN Antibodies

Transthyretin (TTR), formerly known as prealbumin, is a homotetrameric protein primarily synthesized by the liver and the choroid plexus of the brain. It serves as a carrier protein for retinol (vitamin A) and thyroxine (T4) in the bloodstream and cerebrospinal fluid. TTR is also involved in amyloidosis, particularly TTR amyloidosis (ATTR), where misfolded TTR aggregates form amyloid deposits in tissues, leading to conditions such as familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA).

Molecular Applications of TTR Antibodies

• TTR Structural Studies: In studies investigating the molecular structure of TTR, antibodies are used to assess its tetrameric state versus its dissociated monomeric form, which is prone to aggregation. This has implications for drug development aimed at stabilizing the tetramer to prevent amyloid formation.
• Biomarker Discovery: In clinical research, TTR antibodies are employed to measure serum TTR levels as a biomarker for nutritional status and liver function. Decreased levels of circulating TTR are often associated with malnutrition or liver disease.
• Neurological Studies: TTR plays a role in the transport of thyroxine and retinol-binding protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). TTR antibodies are used to explore its role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, where TTR may bind and sequester amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide.

Antibody Validation and Sensitivity

TTR antibodies undergo extensive validation across various experimental platforms to ensure their sensitivity and specificity. Validation includes testing in species such as humans, mice, and rats, and using recombinant TTR or TTR knockdown/knockout models to verify antibody binding.

• Epitope Specificity: Monoclonal antibodies are often epitope-mapped to ensure they bind to specific regions of TTR, particularly important when distinguishing between normal tetrameric TTR and misfolded or aggregated forms in amyloidosis research.
• Cross-Reactivity: TTR antibodies are rigorously tested to ensure minimal cross-reactivity with other serum proteins, ensuring accurate detection and quantification in complex biological samples.

TTR antibodies are essential for research focused on understanding the physiological and pathological roles of transthyretin. These antibodies enable detailed studies on TTR’s involvement in amyloidosis, protein transport, and neurodegeneration. Additionally, TTR antibodies are invaluable in diagnostics, particularly for detecting amyloid deposits in TTR-related diseases and for assessing TTR levels as biomarkers in clinical research.