Human TSG-6 Antibody

TSG-6 (TNF-stimulated Gene 6), also known as TNFIP6 is a secreted, 35‑39 kDa group A member of the LINK-Module superfamily of proteins (1‑4). Human TSG-6 is synthesized as a 277 amino acid (aa) precursor. It contains a 17 aa signal sequence and a 260 aa mature region (5, 6). The mature region shows an N-terminal LINK module (amino acids 36‑129) and a C-terminal CUB (C1s/C1r; urchin embryonic growth factor; BMP1) domain (amino acids 135‑247). Link modules are alpha-helical, beta‑sheet structures that bind hyaluronan (HA) and participate in extracellular matrix (ECM) assembly (7). Mature human TSG-6 shares 94% aa identity with both mouse and canine TSG-6. Cells reported to express TSG-6 include activated fibroblasts, synoviocytes, chondrocytes, neutrophils, proximal tubular epithelium, bronchial epithelium, endothelium, and visceral, plus vascular smooth muscle (2, 8). TSG-6 has multiple functions, many of which involve the ECM. It is suggested to stabilize HA-rich ECM. It does so by serving as an intermediary, or link, between the individual subunits of extracellular decameric pentraxin 3 and the surrounding hyaluronan matrix (9). It also provides structure and organization to hyaluronan. This is accomplished by a TSG-6 mediated transfer of an 80‑85 kDa HC subunit from I alphaI (inter‑ alpha‑inhibitor) to HA. I alphaI is a four-component, 225 kDa serine protease inhibitor. It contains a protease inhibitor subunit (bikunin), two independent, accompaning protein chains (HC1 and HC2), and a short chondroitin sulfate linking moiety. TSG-6 is a cation-dependent catalyst for the removal, transfer, and subsequent covalent linkage of HC 1/2 to surrounding HA. This provides substance and reinforcement to the ECM (1, 2, 10‑12). The disassembly of I alphaI also leads to free bikunin, which in the “free” state becomes a potent inhibitor of serine proteases (8).