The PSG1 (Pregnancy-Specific Glycoprotein 1) antibody targets a member of the pregnancy-specific beta-1 glycoprotein family, which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. PSG1 is primarily secreted by placental syncytiotrophoblasts during pregnancy and is abundantly present in maternal blood, with levels rising progressively throughout gestation. These glycoproteins are thought to play roles in immune modulation, angiogenesis, and protection of the maternal-fetal interface, though their exact biological mechanisms remain under investigation. PSG1. like other PSG family members, is characterized by conserved N-terminal immunoglobulin-variable-like domains and more divergent C-terminal regions.
Antibodies against PSG1 are valuable tools for studying placental development, pregnancy-related pathologies (e.g., preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction), and certain cancers where PSG1 shows ectopic expression. In research, PSG1 antibodies are used in techniques such as ELISA, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry to quantify protein levels, map tissue distribution, and explore functional interactions. Commercially available antibodies are typically developed in rabbits or mice using recombinant PSG1 protein fragments as immunogens. Validation often includes testing reactivity in placental tissue lysates and confirmation of specificity through knockout controls. Emerging studies also investigate PSG1's potential as a biomarker for pregnancy monitoring or cancer diagnostics, driving continued interest in refining antibody performance for clinical applications.