**Background of LYZ Antibody**
Lysozyme (LYZ), a 14.4 kDa antimicrobial enzyme, plays a critical role in innate immunity by hydrolyzing bacterial cell wall peptidoglycans. It is abundantly expressed in secretions like tears, saliva, and mucus, and is produced by immune cells (e.g., macrophages, neutrophils) and certain epithelial cells. LYZ antibodies, specifically targeting this protein, are valuable tools in research and diagnostics.
In research, LYZ antibodies are used to detect lysozyme expression in tissues or biofluids via techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC), ELISA, or Western blot. They help study immune responses, cellular differentiation, and pathologies linked to lysozyme dysregulation, such as inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease) or renal tubular damage, where lysozyme is excreted in urine.
Clinically, LYZ antibodies aid in diagnosing myelomonocytic leukemia, as malignant cells often overexpress lysozyme. They also assist in identifying histiocytic disorders or macrophage-rich lesions. Additionally, lysozyme’s role in amyloidosis—where it forms fibrillar deposits in hereditary cases—has driven the use of LYZ antibodies in characterizing amyloid plaques.
Commercially, these antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice using purified human or recombinant lysozyme, ensuring high specificity. Their applications span immunology, oncology, and microbiology, underscoring lysozyme’s multifaceted role in health and disease.