The progesterone-induced blocking factor 1 (PIBF1) antibody is a tool used to detect and study the PIBF1 protein, a molecule implicated in immune modulation and reproductive biology. PIBF1 is primarily expressed in response to progesterone signaling and plays a critical role in maintaining maternal-fetal immune tolerance during pregnancy by suppressing natural killer (NK) cell activity, shifting cytokine profiles toward a Th2 bias, and inhibiting T-cell proliferation. It is also associated with cancer progression, as PIBF1 overexpression in certain tumors may promote immune evasion and metastasis. Structurally, PIBF1 exists in multiple isoforms, including nuclear and cytoplasmic forms, with roles in cell cycle regulation and signal transduction.
Antibodies targeting PIBF1 are widely utilized in research applications such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry to quantify protein expression, localize it within tissues or cells, and explore its functional mechanisms. These studies have linked PIBF1 to pathologies like preeclampsia, preterm birth, and cancers (e.g., glioblastoma, ovarian cancer), highlighting its dual role in immune suppression and disease pathogenesis. Commercial PIBF1 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice, with validation focusing on specificity, sensitivity, and cross-reactivity. Ongoing research aims to leverage PIBF1-targeting strategies for therapeutic interventions, including cancer immunotherapy or managing pregnancy complications.