HTLV Recombinant Proteins 

Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus (HTLV) is a retrovirus associated with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HTLV recombinant antigens are engineered proteins that mimic the native viral proteins, such as Tax, Env, Gag, or p24, commonly used in serological assays, vaccine development, and basic research.

Content of HTLV Recombinant Antigen

• Production:
  • HTLV antigens are expressed in E. coli, yeast, or mammalian cell systems to preserve their native structure and immunogenicity.
  • Purification is achieved using affinity chromatography or ion-exchange chromatography to achieve high purity.
• Variants:
  • Structural proteins: Recombinant Gag (p19, p24) and Env proteins for studying viral assembly and immune recognition.
  • Regulatory proteins: Tax and Rex for examining their roles in viral replication and oncogenesis.
  • Synthetic peptides: Derived from immunodominant regions for use in diagnostic assays.
• Specifications:
  • Purity: >95% as assessed by SDS-PAGE and HPLC.
  • Activity: Validated through ELISA or immunoblotting using HTLV-positive sera.
  • Stability: Supplied in buffer systems optimized for long-term storage at -20°C or -80°C.

Applications of HTLV Recombinant Antigen

• Serological Diagnosis:
  • HTLV recombinant antigens are used in diagnostic assays like ELISA and Western blot to detect antibodies against HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 in human samples.
  • Serve as controls or standards in diagnostic kit development.
• Vaccine Development:
  • Recombinant antigens are used to develop subunit vaccines targeting HTLV structural and regulatory proteins.
  • Aid in evaluating the immune response elicited by vaccine candidates in preclinical and clinical studies.
• Pathogenesis Studies:
  • Enable research on the molecular mechanisms underlying HTLV-induced oncogenesis and neurodegeneration.
  • Facilitate studies on how viral antigens interact with host immune cells.

HTLV recombinant antigens are indispensable for diagnosing HTLV infections, understanding their pathogenesis, and developing therapeutic and preventive strategies. Their high specificity and immunoreactivity make them critical components in translational and basic research.