United Kingdom (UK)
Recombinant monoclonal antibody to IL-6 receptor. Manufactured using AbAb’s Recombinant Platform with variable regions (i.e. specificity) from the therapeutic antibody rhPM-1 (Tocilizumab).
UniProt Accession Number of Target Protein: P08887
Alternative Name(s) of Target: IL6R; IL-6R; CD126; MRA; atlizumab; TCZ; Interleukin-6 receptor subunit alpha; IL-6 receptor subunit alpha; IL-6R subunit alpha; IL-6R-alpha; IL-6RA; IL-6R 1; Membrane glycoprotein 80; gp80; PM1; PM-1
Immunogen: The original antibody was generated by CDR grafting of mouse PM-1 antibody onto human REI and NEW framework regions to create rhPM-1.
Specificity: Tocilizumab binds specifically to both the membrane bound and soluble forms of human IL-6R. The IL6 receptor is a protein complex consisting of an IL-6 receptor subunit (IL6R) and interleukin 6 signal transducer Glycoprotein 130. Interleukin 6 (IL6) is a potent pleiotropic cytokine that regulates cell growth and differentiation and plays an important role in immune response.
Application Notes: This antibody is derived from the parental mouse clone PM-1 (PM1). Tocilizumab (TCZ) binds and neutralizes IL-6R, resulting in the inhibition of various IL-6-mediated biological activities, including inflammation-related, immunomodulatory and tissue/matrix remodelling effects. This antibody is extensively explored for its therapeutic potential in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (PMID: 25099958; 9836380). Tocilizumab can be used in ELISA assays and is able to inhibit the growth of IL-6-dependent tumor cell lines. It inhibits sIL-6R and mIL-6R-mediated signaling. A study reported that a combination of tocilizumab and methotrexate (MTX) results in greater inhibition of joint damage and improvement in physical function than does MTX alone (PMID: 21360490). Treatment with tocilizumab results in significant improvement, maintained over time, of polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pcJIA) signs and symptoms and has a safety profile consistent with that for adults with rheumatoid arthritis (PMID: 24834925).
Antibody first published in:
Sato et al. Reshaping a human antibody to inhibit the interleukin 6-dependent tumor cell growth. Cancer Res. 1993 Feb 15;53(4):851-6. PMID:8428365
Note on publication:
Describes the generation of a reshaped human PM-1 antibody consisting of human REI-based light chain and NEW-based heavy chain variable regions constructed with the assistance of a structural model of the mouse PM-1 variable regions.
Immunofluorescence staining of fixed U937 cells with anti-IL-6 receptorantibody rhPM-1 (Tocilizumab) (Ab00737) Immunofluorescence analysis of paraformaldehyde fixed U937 cells on Shi-fix™ coverslips, permeabilized with 0.15% Triton and stained with the chimeric rabbit IgG version of rhPM-1 (Tocilizumab) (Ab00737-23.0) at 10 µg/ml for 1h followed by Alexa Fluor® 488 secondary antibody (1 µg/ml), showing membrane staining. The nuclear stain is DAPI (blue). Panels show from left-right, top-bottom Ab00737-23.0, DAPI, merged channels and an isotype control. The isotype control was stained with an anti-Fluorescein antibody (Ab102-23.0) followed by Alexa Fluor® 488 secondary antibody.