Mouse Monoclonal MUC5B Antibody

The MUC5B antibody is a crucial tool for studying the MUC5B mucin, a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein predominantly expressed in mucosal surfaces, including the respiratory tract, salivary glands, and cervix. As a member of the gel-forming mucin family, MUC5B plays a vital role in forming protective mucus barriers, trapping pathogens, and maintaining hydration. Dysregulation of MUC5B is linked to respiratory diseases (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis), cystic fibrosis, and certain cancers. The MUC5B antibody enables researchers to detect and quantify MUC5B protein expression in tissues or biological fluids via techniques like immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and ELISA. It is widely used to investigate mucus hypersecretion mechanisms, disease biomarkers, and therapeutic targets. Polyclonal and monoclonal MUC5B antibodies are available, often raised against specific peptide regions or glycosylated domains. Validation includes knockout cell lines or tissue controls to ensure specificity. Recent studies also utilize MUC5B antibodies to explore its role in COVID-19-associated mucus plugs and genetic variants (e.g., rs35705950 promoter polymorphism). Proper antibody selection depends on experimental needs, considering epitope accessibility in glycosylated vs. deglycosylated forms.