Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Assistant Research Scientist
Academic Level (Author 1)
Post-doc
Discipline/Specialty (Author 1)
Cancer and Immunology
Academic Level (Author 2)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 2)
Cancer and Immunology
Discipline Track
Biomedical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: MUC13 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is critically involved in the progression of various cancers, including liver, pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancers. Despite the recognition of its presence and significance in these malignancies, the development of specific antibodies targeting MUC13 remains limited. This study aims to produce a monoclonal antibody against MUC13 and evaluate its effectiveness in assessing differential expression related to cancer progression.
Methodology: We utilized hybridoma technology to generate specific monoclonal antibodies targeting MUC13. Mouse splenocytes were immunized with recombinant MUC13 protein and subsequently fused with myeloma cells to create hybridomas. Positive clones were selected through ELISA screening. The monoclonal antibodies were then purified using NGC liquid chromatography to ensure high purity and activity. The specificity and binding affinity of the MUC13 antibody were confirmed through Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry in various cancer patient tissue samples.
Results: Our research demonstrates the strong and specific binding of the MUC13 monoclonal antibody to MUC13 in tissue samples from patients with liver, pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancers. We observed significant variations in expression levels that align with cancer progression stages, underscoring MUC13's dynamic involvement in tumorigenesis. Quantitative analysis showed a marked increase in MUC13 expression in advanced tumor stages compared to normal tissue controls, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for disease progression and cancer monitoring. Further validation using Western blotting confirmed consistent MUC13 expression across diverse cancer cell lines and tissues. Immunofluorescence studies also demonstrated robust surface expression of MUC13 on cancer cells, revealing specific localization patterns that may inform its role in tumor interactions and cell signaling. The uniformity of results across various cancer types reinforces MUC13’s significance in cancer biology. Notably, the differential expression between tumor stages points to MUC13's potential influence on tumor aggressiveness, indicating its utility in therapeutic targeting. In vivo experiments supported these findings, with higher MUC13 levels correlating with increased tumor burden and metastasis. These integrated findings emphasize MUC13 as a pivotal biomarker for improving diagnostic precision and guiding treatment strategies in oncology.
Conclusion: The production and characterization of the monoclonal MUC13 antibody enhance our understanding of its crucial role in various cancers. This antibody holds significant promise as a diagnostic tool for monitoring cancer progression and as a potential therapeutic target for immunotherapy and nanoparticle vaccines. Due to its specific expression in tumors, MUC13 is well-suited for targeted therapies, enabling personalized treatments that aim to minimize off-target effects. Ongoing research will be essential to clarify MUC13's role in tumorigenesis and evaluate its potential in innovative cancer therapies.
Presentation Type
Poster
Recommended Citation
Malik, Shabnam; Zubieta, Daniel; Sikander, Mohammed; Khan, Sheema; Yallapu, Murali; Jaggi, Meena; and Chauhan, Subhash, "Characterization and Purification of MUC13 Monoclonal Antibodies: Techniques and Applications" (2025). Research Colloquium. 44.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2025/posters/44
Included in
Characterization and Purification of MUC13 Monoclonal Antibodies: Techniques and Applications
Background: MUC13 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is critically involved in the progression of various cancers, including liver, pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancers. Despite the recognition of its presence and significance in these malignancies, the development of specific antibodies targeting MUC13 remains limited. This study aims to produce a monoclonal antibody against MUC13 and evaluate its effectiveness in assessing differential expression related to cancer progression.
Methodology: We utilized hybridoma technology to generate specific monoclonal antibodies targeting MUC13. Mouse splenocytes were immunized with recombinant MUC13 protein and subsequently fused with myeloma cells to create hybridomas. Positive clones were selected through ELISA screening. The monoclonal antibodies were then purified using NGC liquid chromatography to ensure high purity and activity. The specificity and binding affinity of the MUC13 antibody were confirmed through Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry in various cancer patient tissue samples.
Results: Our research demonstrates the strong and specific binding of the MUC13 monoclonal antibody to MUC13 in tissue samples from patients with liver, pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancers. We observed significant variations in expression levels that align with cancer progression stages, underscoring MUC13's dynamic involvement in tumorigenesis. Quantitative analysis showed a marked increase in MUC13 expression in advanced tumor stages compared to normal tissue controls, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for disease progression and cancer monitoring. Further validation using Western blotting confirmed consistent MUC13 expression across diverse cancer cell lines and tissues. Immunofluorescence studies also demonstrated robust surface expression of MUC13 on cancer cells, revealing specific localization patterns that may inform its role in tumor interactions and cell signaling. The uniformity of results across various cancer types reinforces MUC13’s significance in cancer biology. Notably, the differential expression between tumor stages points to MUC13's potential influence on tumor aggressiveness, indicating its utility in therapeutic targeting. In vivo experiments supported these findings, with higher MUC13 levels correlating with increased tumor burden and metastasis. These integrated findings emphasize MUC13 as a pivotal biomarker for improving diagnostic precision and guiding treatment strategies in oncology.
Conclusion: The production and characterization of the monoclonal MUC13 antibody enhance our understanding of its crucial role in various cancers. This antibody holds significant promise as a diagnostic tool for monitoring cancer progression and as a potential therapeutic target for immunotherapy and nanoparticle vaccines. Due to its specific expression in tumors, MUC13 is well-suited for targeted therapies, enabling personalized treatments that aim to minimize off-target effects. Ongoing research will be essential to clarify MUC13's role in tumorigenesis and evaluate its potential in innovative cancer therapies.
