ET2.1 is a well-characterized recombinant antigen derived from the open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of the hepatitis E virus. It is used in a double-antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect anti-HEV antibodies (IgG and IgM) in human serum samples . This assay demonstrates high specificity and sensitivity, making it valuable for serological studies.
| Assay Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Antigen | ET2.1 (ORF2) |
| Detection | IgG and IgM |
| Specificity | 98.8% |
| Detection Limit | Equivalent to 62 mIU/ml |
ETS-2 is a member of the ETS family of transcription factors involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Monoclonal antibodies specific to ETS-2 have been developed to study its biological functions. These antibodies are useful for techniques like EMSA, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence staining .
| ETS-2 Antibody Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Specificity | ETS-2 specific |
| Cross-reactivity | Some with ETS-1 |
| Applications | EMSA, WB, IP, IF |
The development of antibodies involves identifying specific antigens and generating antibodies that can bind to these antigens with high affinity and specificity. This process often includes cloning and validating the antibodies for various applications.
Cloning involves isolating the gene encoding the antibody from B cells and expressing it in a suitable host. Validation ensures that the cloned antibodies retain their specificity and functionality. For example, in COVID-19 research, potent neutralizing antibodies have been cloned from elite responders and are being developed for clinical use .
Antibodies are crucial tools in biomedical research and therapy. They can be used for diagnostic purposes, such as detecting infections, or as therapeutic agents to target specific proteins involved in disease processes. Bispecific antibodies, which target two different antigens, are being developed to enhance therapeutic efficacy, particularly in cancer treatment .
ETS2 (ETS variant 2) is a member of the ETS family of transcription factors that was initially characterized as a nuclear oncogene. It plays significant roles in:
Regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle progression
Inflammatory responses in macrophages
Disease pathways including autoimmune conditions
ETS2 antibodies are crucial research tools because they allow detection, quantification, and functional analysis of this protein in various experimental contexts. Recent research has identified ETS2 as a central regulator of human inflammatory macrophages, making these antibodies particularly valuable for immunology and inflammation research .
The ETS family of transcription factors displays high sequence homology, creating challenges for antibody specificity. Key differences include:
ETS2 antibodies have diverse applications in biomedical research:
Protein detection and quantification:
Western blotting for protein expression analysis
Immunohistochemistry for tissue localization
ELISA for quantitative measurement
Protein-protein interactions:
Immunoprecipitation to identify binding partners
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to study DNA binding
Functional studies:
Neutralization of ETS2 function in live cells
Analysis of ETS2 in disease models
Inflammation research:
ETS2 antibodies can be instrumental in studying macrophage inflammation through several sophisticated approaches:
ChIP-seq analysis:
Identify genomic binding sites of ETS2 in inflammatory macrophages
Map binding patterns before and after inflammatory stimulation
Recent ChIP-seq studies revealed ETS2 binding at genes involved in multiple inflammatory functions, including NCF4 (ROS production), NLRP3 (inflammasome activation), and TLR4 (bacterial pattern recognition)
Protein complex identification:
Immunoprecipitate ETS2 during various stages of inflammation to identify interaction partners
Analyze how ETS2 partners with NF-κB, FOS, and JUN during inflammatory responses
Functional assays with neutralizing antibodies:
Flow cytometry analysis:
Strategic epitope targeting is critical when selecting ETS2 antibodies for specific applications:
Domain-specific targeting:
N-terminal domain antibodies: Useful for distinguishing ETS2 from other family members
C-terminal domain antibodies: Often provide higher specificity but may be affected by post-translational modifications
ETS domain antibodies: Valuable for studying DNA binding but may cross-react with other family members
Epitope binning considerations:
Species conservation analysis:
Post-translational modification awareness:
Select antibodies that recognize or are independent of phosphorylation states
Consider epitopes that avoid regions subject to proteolytic processing
A comprehensive approach involves mapping the binding sites of available antibodies to distinct domains of the ETS2 protein, as exemplified in studies that have characterized monoclonal antibodies specific to the ETS2 protein .
Designing robust experiments to study ETS2-DNA interactions requires careful consideration:
ChIP experimental design:
Use validated ETS2-specific antibodies that work efficiently in immunoprecipitation
Include appropriate controls: IgG control, input DNA, and if possible, ETS2-null cells
Consider sequential ChIP (re-ChIP) to study co-binding with other transcription factors
EMSA (Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay) approaches:
Perform supershift assays using ETS2 antibodies to confirm identity of DNA-binding proteins
Use antibodies targeting different ETS2 domains to determine regions involved in DNA binding
Include competing oligonucleotides containing ETS binding motifs as controls
In vivo DNA binding studies:
Combine ETS2 antibodies with techniques like proximity ligation assay (PLA)
Use fluorescently labeled antibodies for visualization of chromatin binding sites
Consider ChIP-seq to map genome-wide binding patterns
Research has shown that ETS2 binding sites are mostly located in active regulatory regions (90% in promoters or enhancers) and are highly enriched for a canonical ETS2 motif (4.02-fold versus global controls) .
Optimizing Western blotting protocols for ETS2 detection requires careful attention to several parameters:
Sample preparation:
Include protease and phosphatase inhibitors to preserve ETS2 integrity
For nuclear proteins like ETS2, use nuclear extraction protocols
Denature samples at 95°C for 5 minutes in reducing buffer containing SDS
Gel electrophoresis considerations:
Use 10-12% polyacrylamide gels for optimal resolution of ETS2 (36.6 kDa)
Run positive controls from cells known to express ETS2
Include molecular weight markers that bracket the expected size
Transfer and blocking optimization:
PVDF membranes typically provide better results than nitrocellulose for transcription factors
Block with 5% non-fat dry milk or BSA (depending on antibody specifications)
Consider overnight transfer at low voltage for efficient transfer of nuclear proteins
Antibody incubation parameters:
Primary antibody dilutions typically range from 1:500 to 1:2000
Incubate at 4°C overnight for optimal sensitivity
Use antibody diluent containing 0.1% Tween-20 to reduce background
Detection system selection:
For low abundance detection, consider HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies with enhanced chemiluminescence
For quantitative analysis, fluorescently-labeled secondary antibodies may provide better linearity
Validation studies of ETS2 antibodies have shown that antibodies targeting the middle or N-terminal regions of ETS2 typically perform well in Western blotting applications .
Non-specific binding is a common challenge with antibodies targeting transcription factors like ETS2. Here's a systematic approach to troubleshooting:
Antibody validation issues:
Verify antibody specificity using ETS2-null or knockdown cells as negative controls
Compare results with multiple ETS2 antibodies targeting different epitopes
Check for known cross-reactivity with other ETS family members
Protocol optimization strategies:
Increase blocking time or concentration (5-10% blocking agent)
Add detergents (0.1-0.3% Triton X-100) to reduce hydrophobic interactions
Include competing proteins (1-5% BSA) in antibody diluent
Signal-to-noise enhancement approaches:
Reduce primary antibody concentration
Increase washing duration and frequency
Consider alternative secondary antibodies with lower background
Sample-specific considerations:
Pre-clear lysates with Protein A/G beads before immunoprecipitation
Perform pre-adsorption of antibodies with cell lysates from ETS2-null cells
Use gradient centrifugation to purify nuclear extracts for cleaner preparations
Alternative detection methods:
Try indirect detection with biotinylated secondary antibodies and streptavidin conjugates
Consider tyramide signal amplification for specific signal enhancement
For especially challenging applications, monoclonal antibodies verified using ETS2-null cells have been shown to provide superior specificity compared to polyclonal alternatives .
Comprehensive validation of a new ETS2 antibody should include:
Specificity validation:
Western blotting against recombinant ETS2 and related ETS proteins
Testing in ETS2-overexpressing, wild-type, and ETS2-knockout/knockdown cells
Peptide competition assays with the immunizing peptide
Application-specific validation:
For Western blotting: Verify single band of expected molecular weight (36.6 kDa)
For immunoprecipitation: Confirm pull-down of ETS2 and known interaction partners
For immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence: Compare with established expression patterns
Cross-reactivity assessment:
Test against other ETS family members, particularly ETS1
Evaluate in multiple species if cross-species reactivity is claimed
Check reactivity in tissues with known ETS2 expression profiles
Functional validation:
Verify ability to detect ETS2 in its biologically relevant contexts (e.g., TNF-stimulated macrophages)
Confirm detection of both basal and induced ETS2 expression
Test neutralizing capacity if applicable
Reproducibility testing:
Assess lot-to-lot consistency with standardized samples
Evaluate performance across different experimental conditions
Compare with benchmark antibodies in the field
A robust validation approach as described for ETS2-specific monoclonal antibodies should verify suitability for EMSA, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence staining experiments .
Contradictory results from different ETS2 antibodies are not uncommon and require systematic investigation:
Epitope availability analysis:
Map the epitopes recognized by each antibody
Consider whether post-translational modifications might mask certain epitopes
Evaluate whether protein interactions or conformation changes could affect antibody binding
Antibody format considerations:
Compare results between monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies
Assess whether different antibody isotypes (IgG vs. IgM) affect results
Evaluate whether conjugated tags influence epitope recognition
Protocol-dependent phenomena:
Test whether fixation methods affect epitope accessibility
Examine if denaturation conditions influence antibody recognition
Consider buffer composition effects on antibody-antigen interactions
Biological context interpretation:
Assess whether contradictory results reflect different ETS2 isoforms
Consider cell type-specific post-translational modifications
Evaluate influence of cellular compartmentalization on detection
Previous studies have shown contradictory reports regarding ETS2's role in macrophages, with it being described as both necessary and redundant for macrophage development, and both pro- and anti-inflammatory. These contradictions were resolved through comprehensive analysis using well-characterized antibodies in primary human cells .
ETS2 antibodies can be powerful tools for investigating disease mechanisms:
Inflammatory disease research applications:
Use ETS2 antibodies to quantify expression in patient samples versus controls
Correlate ETS2 levels with disease severity markers
Track ETS2 activation in response to disease-associated stimuli
Recent research identified ETS2 as a central regulator in inflammatory macrophages, connecting it to autoimmune conditions
Cancer pathway investigation approaches:
Analyze ETS2 expression patterns across tumor types
Evaluate ETS2 binding partners in malignant versus normal cells
Study ETS2 phosphorylation states in oncogenic signaling
Genetic disease model analysis:
Therapeutic target validation:
Use neutralizing antibodies to block ETS2 function in disease models
Monitor downstream effects on inflammatory mediators
Assess potential for targeting ETS2 in inflammatory conditions
Biomarker development:
Develop sandwich ELISA using complementary ETS2 antibodies
Validate ETS2 as a biomarker for disease progression
Create screening panels for patient stratification
The combination of genetic and functional data suggests ETS2 is a central regulator of monocyte and macrophage inflammatory responses that directs a multifaceted effector program relevant to several disease pathways .
Rigorous ChIP experiments with ETS2 antibodies require comprehensive controls:
Antibody specificity controls:
IgG isotype control to establish background enrichment levels
ETS2-depleted cells as negative biological controls
Positive controls using cells with known ETS2 binding sites
Technical validation controls:
Input DNA samples to normalize enrichment
Spike-in controls for quantification calibration
Technical replicates to assess procedural variability
Target site verification:
Positive control loci with established ETS2 binding
Negative control regions lacking ETS binding motifs
Analysis of canonical ETS2 motif enrichment in pulled-down DNA
Biological condition controls:
Unstimulated versus stimulated cells to detect dynamic binding
Time course sampling to capture temporal binding patterns
Competitive inhibition with ETS2 binding oligonucleotides
Cross-validation approaches:
Parallel ChIP with different ETS2 antibodies
Comparison with publicly available ETS2 ChIP-seq datasets
Validation of key targets by alternative methods (e.g., EMSA)
Research has shown that ETS2 binding peaks are mostly located in active regulatory regions (90% in promoters or enhancers) and are highly enriched for both a canonical ETS2 motif and for motifs of known ETS2 interactors, including FOS, JUN, and NF-κB .
Selecting appropriate secondary antibodies for ETS2 detection requires careful consideration:
Host species matching:
Choose secondary antibodies raised against the host species of your primary antibody
For rabbit anti-ETS2 antibodies, use anti-rabbit secondary antibodies
For mouse anti-ETS2 antibodies, use anti-mouse secondary antibodies
Application-specific conjugates:
Signal amplification considerations:
Reduction of background:
Pre-adsorbed secondary antibodies minimize cross-reactivity
Fragment-specific secondaries (e.g., Fc-specific) can reduce background
Consider using secondary antibodies from species unrelated to your sample
The choice of secondary antibody can dramatically affect detection sensitivity, with indirect detection offering increased sensitivity due to signal amplification from multiple secondary antibodies binding to a single primary antibody .
The choice between monoclonal and polyclonal ETS2 antibodies should be application-driven:
| Application | Monoclonal Advantages | Polyclonal Advantages | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western blotting | High specificity, low background | Enhanced sensitivity, robust to denaturation | Monoclonals for high specificity; polyclonals for low abundance |
| Immunoprecipitation | Consistent performance across lots | Recognition of multiple epitopes improves pull-down | Application-validated monoclonals or affinity-purified polyclonals |
| ChIP | Specific epitope targeting | Better tolerance to crosslinking | Validated ChIP-grade antibodies regardless of type |
| Immunohistochemistry | Low background, high reproducibility | Robust to fixation, higher sensitivity | Depends on tissue preparation method |
| Flow cytometry | Defined epitope recognition | May better detect native conformations | Fluorophore-conjugated monoclonals preferred |
| For ETS2 specifically: |
Monoclonal antibodies have been characterized for their epitope specificity and validated in ETS2-null cells
Polyclonal antibodies may recognize multiple ETS family members due to sequence homology
Consider using multiple antibodies with different epitope specificities for confirmation of results
The ideal approach often combines both: use monoclonals for their specificity and polyclonals for detection sensitivity, comparing results to ensure consistency.
ETS2 antibodies are increasingly incorporated into cutting-edge single-cell techniques:
Single-cell protein analysis:
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) integration for multi-parameter analysis with metal-conjugated ETS2 antibodies
Imaging mass cytometry for spatial analysis of ETS2 in tissue contexts
Single-cell Western blotting for protein expression heterogeneity assessment
Spatial transcriptomics applications:
In situ sequencing combined with ETS2 immunofluorescence
Correlation of ETS2 protein levels with transcriptional states
Cellular neighborhood analysis in inflammatory environments
Functional single-cell approaches:
Live-cell imaging with cell-permeable fluorescently labeled ETS2 antibody fragments
Monitoring ETS2 dynamics in response to stimuli at single-cell resolution
Correlating ETS2 localization with functional outcomes
Microfluidic applications:
Droplet-based single-cell antibody secretion assays
Integrated analysis of ETS2 with other inflammatory markers
Correlation of ETS2 expression with cellular phenotypes
The integration of ETS2 antibodies with these technologies allows researchers to dissect the heterogeneity of inflammatory responses and understand how ETS2 contributes to cell-specific functions in complex tissues.
The development of therapeutic antibodies targeting ETS2 presents both opportunities and challenges:
Therapeutic rationale:
Development considerations:
Cell penetration challenges for targeting a nuclear transcription factor
Specificity concerns due to homology with other ETS family members
Potential for antibody fragments or alternative formats to improve nuclear access
Antibody engineering approaches:
Bispecific antibodies combining ETS2 targeting with cell-penetrating modules
Antibody-drug conjugates delivering ETS2 inhibitors to specific cell populations
Intrabodies designed for intracellular expression and targeting
Potential clinical applications:
Autoimmune disorders where ETS2-driven inflammation contributes to pathology
Inflammatory components of metabolic diseases
Down syndrome-associated inflammatory phenotypes
Alternative therapeutic strategies:
Antibodies targeting the chr21q22 enhancer that regulates ETS2
Combination approaches targeting multiple points in the ETS2 inflammatory pathway
Small molecule approaches guided by epitope mapping with ETS2 antibodies
The translation of ETS2 antibodies from research tools to therapeutics would require significant engineering to address cellular penetration and specificity challenges, but could represent a novel approach to inflammatory disease treatment .
Advanced epitope mapping technologies are transforming antibody development:
High-throughput epitope binning platforms:
Structural biology integration:
Cryo-EM analysis of antibody-antigen complexes reveals atomic-level epitope details
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) identifies conformational epitopes
Computational prediction algorithms improve epitope selection for antibody development
Therapeutic development applications:
Precise epitope targeting for neutralizing specific ETS2 functions
Identification of conserved epitopes for broad species cross-reactivity
Mapping of non-overlapping epitopes for sandwich assay development
Research tool improvements:
Generation of complementary antibody panels targeting different ETS2 domains
Development of conformation-specific antibodies for activated versus inactive ETS2
Creation of antibodies specifically detecting post-translational modifications
Emerging platforms like Epitope Binning-seq show promise for streamlining antibody development by evaluating epitope similarity using genetically encoded query antibodies and next-generation sequencing, potentially accelerating the identification of promising ETS2-targeting antibodies .