Development and characterization of a JAK-2-specific antibody suitable for immunohistochemical investigative studies

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2011 Jan;19(1):41-7. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0b013e3181e8a70d.

Abstract

Janus kinases (JAKs) are tyrosine kinases called JAK-1, JAK-2, JAK-3, and Tyk-2, which have been shown to participate in the signaling pathways of several cytokines that are believed to play a key role in several autoimmune-mediated disorders including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the availability of JAK-specific antibodies to be used in investigative efficacy studies in RA models is very limited. Therefore, in this study we developed and characterized a JAK-2-specific antibody that was used to evaluate its immunohistochemical expression in the joints of a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (rAIA) RA preclinical model. An immunogen peptide sequence design was used to generate JAK-2-specific mouse, rat, and human polyclonal antibodies. JAK-2 plasmid cDNA was then generated and HEK293 transfected cell lines, gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to further characterize the generated JAK-2 antibodies. We show that the generated JAK-2 antibody exhibits specificity and lacks cross-reactivity to JAK-1 and JAK-3. In addition, marked JAK-2 expression is shown in the rAIA in mixed inflammatory cells (macrophages and neutrophils), mast cells, and bone marrow elements. In conclusion, we show the development and characterization of a JAK-2-specific antibody that can be used in investigative and mechanistic studies such as preclinical efficacy models.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / chemistry*
  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Antibody Specificity*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / genetics
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Janus Kinase 2 / biosynthesis*
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Janus Kinase 2 / immunology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mast Cells / immunology
  • Mast Cells / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • JAK2 protein, human
  • Jak2 protein, mouse
  • Jak2 protein, rat
  • Janus Kinase 2