Angiotensinogen (AGT) is a liver-derived glycoprotein and the precursor of angiotensin peptides in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), a critical regulator of blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and vascular function. Upon cleavage by renin, AGT is converted to angiotensin I, which is further processed into angiotensin II—a potent vasoconstrictor involved in hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and kidney dysfunction. Antibodies targeting AGT are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and role in RAS-driven pathologies.
AGT antibodies are widely used in immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry) to quantify protein levels in tissues or biofluids, aiding research on conditions like hypertension, heart failure, and diabetic nephropathy. They also help validate experimental models, such as AGT-knockout mice, and assess therapeutic interventions targeting RAS components. Specificity is critical, as AGT shares structural homology with other serpins. Most commercial AGT antibodies are raised against conserved epitopes in humans or rodents, with monoclonal variants offering higher specificity.
Clinically, AGT antibodies may assist in biomarker studies or diagnostics, though their therapeutic use remains exploratory. Research continues to explore AGT inhibition as a strategy to modulate RAS activity, highlighting the antibody's dual role as a research reagent and potential drug development tool.