Currently, I am also involved in Angiotensin II receptor
type 2 (AT2R) research. After I read
this
publication by Hafko et al. from 2013, I checked my antibody
used. Why? - Because the paper
states that some commercially available AT2R antibodies are
unspecific. Luckily, the one I use was not in the
unspecific section. 'Sadly', it was not investigated either by
the authors, which is no reproach. What kind of antibody I use? A
mouse anti-human, monoclonal, directly labeled, and raised against
full length human AT2R. I know, this is not a guarantee or statement
about its specificity. But this is the point, isn't it? How to
figure that out? We do not have AT2R-/- mice available
to check the antibodies specificity (of tissues we use).
But wouldn't that be quality control which companies have to
perform (when they start to sell those ones)? In
my opinion: yes! Of course, every Laboratory/Department might
try to establish their own produced AT2R antibodies by themselves
but what about comparability of obtained and published results
then? Which epitope of AT2R is the antigen? What about competing
groups where some might not be willing to share their antibodies?
It could impair the work and only 'privileged' researchers
might be able to publish. Moreover, some individuals may force
other researchers to be co-authored instead of acknowledged
for obtaining their antibody (or whatever other condition/demand).
Besides, what about the specificity of those antibodies? - They
would need to be evaluated, too.
Of course, there might be lot of other conditions/options I have
not thought of in respect of unspecific antibodies, but I think
you get the message. :) Thus, in my opinion there seems to be
more quality control needed to be done by the companies. The
maybe interesting question is: what do we do in the meantime?
Obviously, the results obtained by Hafko et al. need to be verified;
who might do this? Of note, some publications published after
the one by Hafko et al. used those unspecific-claimed
antibodies - didn't those authors see this
publication? Or do we just don't care about possible implications
for science and whatever possible implication for treatment of
patients might result? Don't get me wrong, I am not blaming
anyone. Indeed, as stated above I also work using an antibody
where I actually need to trust the company about the antibodies
specificity.
Any thoughts or comments to me? Drop me an email, address
can be found here.
If you are an employee of a Bio-Tech company and are allowed
to state something about your procedures and used controls -
write me, too. I am interested in your thoughts in a honest
manner. I do not write anything here without your agreement
- this just stated if you are concerned about such
unprofessional behaviour. Also write me if I made
(some) mistakes, please! With your help I can improve this text
and also myself and knowledge. ;)
Written and published online August 25th, 2015.