Description: This rabbit polyclonal antibody reacts with the asialo ganglio-N-tetraosylceramide (asialo-GM1), a glycolipid on human, mouse, rat, bovine and hamster cells. Glycolipids such as this sialyated version are defined by the specific transferases that modify the lipid. Glycolipids are targets of immune cell response. Auto-antibodies have also been identified. Additionally these glycolipids can act as co-receptors for pathogens. Asialo-GM1 is present on both NK cells and a subset of monocyte/macrophages from the mouse spleen. Expression is also found on rat and bovine brain, fetal liver and on fetal immature thymocytes. Expression has also been shown to increase with tumor progression. The antibody recognizes asialo-GM1 specifically and not other glycolipids, including GM1 and asialo-GM2.
This antibody has been reported to deplete NK cells in mice and hamsters in vivo and exhibits in vitro effects in a variety of species.