WHAT’S NEW from BIOCARE

ADH-5 (Breast Marker Cocktail)

Composed of CK5+CK14+p63+CK7+CK18. Please refer to the data sheet.

Progesterone Receptor [PgR636] Clone: PgR636

The progesterone receptor is a member of the steroid-receptor family. Steroid hormones bind to intracellular receptors, and these receptors can bind to DNA and regulate gene expression directly. Research has shown PR to reflect intact estrogen regulatory machinery. PR staining patterns observed include: ER+ and PR+, ER+ and PR-, ER- and PR+, and ER- and PR-. This PR antibody provides excellent staining in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues and has been shown to have superior sensitivity to most progesterone receptor antibodies.

PMS2 Clone: A16-4

The PMS2 post meotic segregation increased 2 gene is located on chromosome number 7. The gene product of PMS2 forms a heterodimer with MLH1 that interacts with MSH2 bound to mismatched bases in DNA. MSH2 is a protein of 934 aa (100 kDa) localized to the cell nucleus. MSH2 functions as one of the four major DNA mismatch repair genes along with PMS2, MLH1 and PMS1. Mutations in these genes are associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), one of the most common hereditary diseases in man. Immunohistochemistry studies have further determined that the microsatellite instability phenotype in endometrial carcinoma is linked to defects in the MLH1/PMS2 gene.

PLAP (Rabbit Monoclonal) Clone: SP15

Reacts with a membrane-bound isoenzyme (Regan and Nagao type) of Placental Alkaline Phosphatase (PLAP) occurring in the placenta during the 3rd trimester of gestation. This antibody is highly specific to PLAP and shows no cross-reaction with other isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatases. It is useful in the identification of testicular germ cell tumors. Unlike germ cell tumors, PLAP-positive somatic cell tumors uniformly express epithelial membrane antigen (EMA).

HIF-1 alpha Clone: EP1215Y

HIF-1 alpha has been shown to upregulate several genes to promote survival in hypoxic environments. Some of the important genes that are upregulated are erythropoietin, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), glucose transporters, and vascular growth factors necessary for the maintenance of homeostasis in low oxygen conditions. Oxygen-breathing species express this highly-conserved transcriptional complex. The HIF-1 alpha expression also plays a role in cancer. There is evidence that tumor hypoxia promotes metastasis through the induction of MET overexpression by HIF-1 alpha. The mechanism of tumor hypoxia promoting metastasis remains uncertain. HIF-1 alpha is a key mediator of the cellular response to hypoxia and binds the met promoter, resulting in increased expression of MET. In breast cancer, MET overexpression is associated with metastatic disease and poor prognosis.

CD163 Clone: 10D6

CD163 is useful in identifying cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage in normal and neoplastic conditions. This antibody reacts with human scavenger receptor cysteine-rich protein CD163 (p155, M130) found on mononuclear phagocytes including human monocytes and macrophages. Compared with the CD68 antibodies, studies have shown that CD163 demonstrated greater specificity as a marker of disorders of monocyte/macrophage origin. However, immunohistochemical evaluation of CD163 expression does not seem to be a sensitive means of determining monocytic differentiation of AMLs or myeloid sarcoma.

Aldh1a1 (Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1) Clone: EP1933Y

The Aldh1a1 gene encodes the major cytosolic Aldh1a1 existing in the liver and other tissues. The genetic deficiency of this isozyme has been found at a low frequency (< 10%) in both Caucasians and Orientals. Studies have also shown that Aldh1a1 in normal and cancer human mammary epithelial cells with increased aldehyde dehydrogenase activity have stem/progenitor properties. In a series of 577 breast carcinomas, expression of Aldh1a1 detected by immunostaining correlated with poor prognosis. These findings offer an important new tool for the study of normal and malignant breast stem cells and facilitate the clinical application of stem cell concepts.

MUM-1 Clone: BC5

Multiple myeloma oncogene-1 (MUM1) is a 50 kDa protein encoded by the MUM1 gene. IRF4 / MUM-1 is expressed in the nuclei and cytoplasm of plasma cells and a small percentage of germinal center (GC) B cells located in the “light zone”. This antibody labels MUM1 protein in centrocytes and their progeny, plasma cells, activated T cells, and a wide spectrum of hematolymphoid neoplasms derived from these cells. Therefore, this antibody can be used as a powerful tool for the identification and the sub classification of lymphoid malignancies.

Microtiter Plate Platform

Biocare Medical has developed a platform for microtiter plates that can be used to perform antigen retrieval of formalin fixed free floating sections. The platform has been designed to work within our temperature controlled Decloaking Chamber. Standard microtiter plate wells with floating sections can be filled with a retrieval solution; placed on the platform in the Decloaking Chamber, and retrieved at 80°C for 15 to 30 minutes.



intellipath machine

intelliPATH™ FLX Automated, Random Access Slide Stainer

The Intellipath is the world’s first fully open, continuous random access immunohistochemistry staining instrument. The intelliPath™ features STAT capability with priority processing, rapid four step multi-staining and on board preparation of chromogens. It provides clinical and research histology labs with the most automated open platform available.

Smart features such as positive ID for both patient slides and reagents, inventory control, LIS compatibility, and elimination of reagent mapping maximize the system’s ease of use. The intelliPath system is designed to intelligently prioritize and optimize incubations and wash cycle schedules after adding new slides. Ultrasonic “no touch” liquid level sensing further optimizes time-to-result. An intuitive graphical user interface allows for easy and rapid run setup. The intellPATH is available in a compact footprint that saves bench space.

For more information, please view the data sheet.