Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Staff
Academic Level (Author 1)
Post-doc
Discipline/Specialty (Author 1)
Immunology and Microbiology
Academic Level (Author 2)
Staff
Discipline/Specialty (Author 2)
Immunology and Microbiology
Academic Level (Author 3)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 3)
Immunology and Microbiology
Academic Level (Author 4)
Faculty
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Immunology and Microbiology
Academic Level (Author 5)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 5)
Immunology and Microbiology
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Biomedical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: MUC13 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a critical role in the progression of various cancers, including liver, pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancer. While its presence and implications in these malignancies have been recognized, the development of specific antibodies targeting MUC13 is limited. This study aims to produce a monoclonal antibody against MUC13 and evaluate its utility in assessing differential expressions associated with cancers progression.
Methodology: We employed hybridoma technology to generate specific monoclonal antibodies against 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 via NGC liquid chromatography to ensure high purity and activity. The specificity and binding affinity of the MUC13 antibody were confirmed using Western blot analysis, Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry in different cancer patients tissue samples.
Results: Our research highlights the strong and specific binding of the MUC13 monoclonal antibody to MUC13 in liver, pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancer tissues patients tissues samples. We found 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 deepen our understanding of its vital role in various cancers. This antibody shows promise as a diagnostic tool for monitoring cancer progression and as a therapeutic target for immunotherapy and nanoparticle vaccines. Given its specific tumor expression, MUC13 is ideal for targeted therapies, allowing for personalized treatments that minimize off-target effects. Additionally, incorporating MUC13 into nanoparticle vaccines may boost immune responses. Ongoing research will be critical to elucidate MUC13's role in tumorigenesis and assess its potential in innovative cancer therapies.
Recommended Citation
Malik, Shabnam; Zubieta, Daniel; and Sikander, Mohammed, "Production and characterization of MUC13 monoclonal antibodies for differential expression in cancers" (2025). Research Symposium. 52.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/52
Production and characterization of MUC13 monoclonal antibodies for differential expression in cancers
Background: MUC13 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a critical role in the progression of various cancers, including liver, pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancer. While its presence and implications in these malignancies have been recognized, the development of specific antibodies targeting MUC13 is limited. This study aims to produce a monoclonal antibody against MUC13 and evaluate its utility in assessing differential expressions associated with cancers progression.
Methodology: We employed hybridoma technology to generate specific monoclonal antibodies against 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 via NGC liquid chromatography to ensure high purity and activity. The specificity and binding affinity of the MUC13 antibody were confirmed using Western blot analysis, Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry in different cancer patients tissue samples.
Results: Our research highlights the strong and specific binding of the MUC13 monoclonal antibody to MUC13 in liver, pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancer tissues patients tissues samples. We found 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 deepen our understanding of its vital role in various cancers. This antibody shows promise as a diagnostic tool for monitoring cancer progression and as a therapeutic target for immunotherapy and nanoparticle vaccines. Given its specific tumor expression, MUC13 is ideal for targeted therapies, allowing for personalized treatments that minimize off-target effects. Additionally, incorporating MUC13 into nanoparticle vaccines may boost immune responses. Ongoing research will be critical to elucidate MUC13's role in tumorigenesis and assess its potential in innovative cancer therapies.
