title: Isoform specificity of commercially-available anti-TGF-beta antibodies.
abstract: The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) cytokine family has important and complex effects on many biologic processes. Mammals have three TGF-beta isoforms which differ in their primary amino acid sequence, receptor binding characteristics, distribution, and function. Characterization of TGF-beta production and localization is critically dependent upon appropriate reagents, including antibodies. We have analyzed the isoform specificity of eight commercially-available TGF-beta antibodies, including one monoclonal antibody and seven polyclonal antibodies. We carried out semi-quantitative Western blot analysis using recombinant TGF-beta1, beta2, and beta3 as targets. We found that sensitivity and isoform specificity are dependent in part upon the presence or absence of reducing conditions. The antibodies tested showed a broad range of sensitivity, with an ability to detect 50 pg to 20 ng. Cross-reactivity with another, incorrect isoform was seen with several antibodies, and ranged from 0.2% to 42%. Nevertheless, we identified TGF-beta antibodies directed against each isoform which provide moderate-to-high sensitivity and specificity when used in Western blot analysis. These results may have relevance for investigators who wish to detect particular TGF-beta isoforms with techniques other than Western blot analysis, particularly when these techniques involve denatured proteins.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mozes
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hodics
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kopp
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000737:chemistry; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006801:Humans; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000276:immunology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta