AChR Specific Neutra™ Antibody Products

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) is an integral membrane receptor protein binding to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. There are two kinds of AChR, nicotinic AChR (nAChR) and muscarinic AChR (mAChR). The nAChR is a Ca⁺⁺ or Na⁺ ion channel while the mAChR is a G-protein coupled receptor. AChR is associated with lung cancer and myasthenia gravis (MG).

Functions of AChR Pathway in Lung Cancer

The AChR pathway plays a pivotal role in the promotion of lung cancer. In lung cancer epithelial cells, nicotine stimulates tumor cell growth, survival, and inflammation. The roles of the AChR pathway in lung cancer are listed below:

• Promotes the angiogenesis and invasion by stimulating HIF-1α and increasing the expression of VEGF.
• Induces the proliferation of tumor cells by activating the MAPK pathway, increasing the fibronectin production and the fibronectin-α5β1 integrin binding.
• Inhibits the apoptosis of cancer cells by recruiting E2F1, diminishing apoptosis inhibitors, and dissociating suppressor proteins.

Fig.1 The AChR pathway in lung cancer.¹

Functions of AChR Pathway in MG

AChR is highly related to the MG pathophysiology. 90% of patients with neuromuscular disease could produce AChR antibodies. Monoclonal antibody immunotherapy of MG provides a novel promise for the treatment of MG.

• Antibodies blocking the CD40-CD40L pathway could impair the interaction between T- and B-cells, reduce the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and re-balance the immune system.
• Anti-CD20 antibodies could enhance the activity of lymphocytes and reduce the production of autoantibodies.
• Anti-CD38 antibodies could eliminate the amount of long-lived plasma cells.
• Anti-FcRn antibodies and the effectors of the complement system could inhibit the complement activation and reduce the level of autoantibodies.

Fig.2 MG pathophysiology and targets of monoclonal antibody therapies.²

Creative Biolabs offers anti-AChR antibodies with various applications for immunoassays. These antibodies could detect AChR antigens with high specificity and affinity in cancer and neuroscience studies.

REFERENCES

1. Thunnissen, Frederik B. "Acetylcholine receptor pathway and lung cancer." Journal of Thoracic Oncology 4.8 (2009): 943-946.
2. Alabbad, Sawsan, et al. "Monoclonal antibody-based therapies for myasthenia gravis." BioDrugs 34 (2020): 557-566.