Aggrecan is essential for the normal function of articular cartilage and intervertebral discs. Aggrecan provides the ability for the tissues to withstand compressive loading. This property is dependent on both the high charge density endowed by its numerous chondroitin and keratan sulfate chains and its ability to form large molecular aggregates interacting with hyaluronans. Degradation of Aggrecan via the action of proteases takes place throughout life and the degradation products which accumulate in the tissue and impair its function. Aggrecan degradation is exacerbated during the degenerative and inflammatory joint disorders and osteoarthritis as determined by anti-Aggrecanase antibodies (1).
The use of antibodies recognizing the various regions of Aggrecan and the neoepitopes generated upon proteolytic cleavage has demonstrated that matrix metalloproteinases and aggrecanases, members of the ADAMTS family, are responsible for Aggrecan degradation in joint diseases (2). Employing Immunoblotting techniques, using anti-Aggrecan antibodies enables researchers to determine the Aggrecan degradation and to identify the degradation products accumulated tissues. Analysis of tissue extracts with an antibody recognizing the G1 domain of Aggrecan identified two major degradation products whose abundance and size were correlated with the fragments detected by the anti-neoepitope antibodies (3) Immunoblotting analysis using extracts of human annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus and articular cartilage demonstrated age-related patterns in the abundance of degradation products by anti-Aggrecanse antibodies (4). Novus Biologicals offers a wide variety of tools for your research needs in the form of antibodies and other reagents against Aggrecan and related proteins for your research needs.
Novus Biologicals offers Aggrecan reagents for your research needs including:
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