• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 1997

$\alpha$-Fetoprotein (AFP) has been a useful marker in screening and/or monitoring patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, gonadal germ cell tumor, gastric carcinoma and neural tube defects. In the present study, it was attempted to produce anti-human AFP polyclonal antibodies and to develop a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of AFP in human plasma and amniotic fluid. AFP was isolated from amniotic fluid using an isolation procedure consisting of affinity chromatography and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The antibody directed against AFP was raised in rabbits. Double immunodiffusion and Western blotting methods showed that the antiserum was highly specific, reacting with only AFP-containing samples. Standard curve was obtained by using purified AFP and specific antiserum. The assay sensitivity was 5ng/ml and the working range was 5~l,000ng/ml. The within-assay and between-assay coefficient of variance (CV) was 4.5% and 8.5%, respectively. These results indicate that the assay is valuable for the measurement of AFP and found to be simple, reproducible, and accurate.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.283-293
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• 1986

For the preliminary step to make and characterize the monoclonal antibodies of human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was purified from 534g of human fetal tissues through the procedures of tissue extraction, DEAE-cellulose, concanavalin A-Sepharose, Cibacron Blue F3GA-agarose and immunoadsorbent affinity chromatography. The isolated AFP preparation showed a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a single precipitin are against rabbit anti-human cord serum and anti-human AFP on immunoelectrophoresis. Our AFP also displayed a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The recovery of AFP was 8.76mg total.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigation of the serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in healthy adults. A total of 2,160 (male 1,415, female 745) health checkup adults were examined for AFP levels by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) method, during the period from September, 2007 to August, 2008. The mean serum AFP level was 2.168 (0.605~20.35) ng/mL, and it was 2.309 (0.605~20.35) ng/mL in male, 1.906 (0.605~10.36) ng/mL in female, respectively. 1,816 (male 1,109, female 709) healthy adults were screened for the absence of viral hepatitis and normal alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels. The mean serum AFP level of healthy adult was 2.041 (0.605~7.83) ng/mL, and it was 2.181 (0.605~7.83) ng/mL in male, 1.822 (0.605~6.55) ng/mL in female, respectively. Serum AFP increased with age group, there was a higher level in male compared to female. These results suggests that the use of reference value of AFP in healthy adults in the Jeonbuk. With the reference value now defined, it becomes possible to compare levels in different populations.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.314-321
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• 1989

배의 발생과 분화에 따른 혈청 alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)의 생리적 기능 규명을 위한 기초실험의 일환으로, 모체와는 완전히 독립된 상태에서 발생과 분화가 이루어지는 계배의 혈청을 재료로 하여 CM-Sephadex C-50, hydroxyapatite 및 DEAE-Sepharose A-25등의 크로마토그라피 방법에 의해 닭 혈청 AFP를 분리하였다. 계 AFP는 분자량이 약 60 Kd로 사람 및 다른 포유동물 AFP의 분자량 (64-74 Kd)보다 작았다. 닭 AFP, 계배혈청 및 닭 혈청 등을 토끼에 면역하여 항체를 제조하였고, 이를 이용하여 닭의 배발생 단계에 따른 혈청 AFP 함량의 변화를 전기영동 및 면역학적 방법으로 정성 및 정량 분석을 실시하였다. 혈청 AFP 함량은 발생 7일-배 (AFP 농도 : 0.81 mg/ml)부터 점차 증가하여 13일-배에서 최고치인 2.46 mgfml로 나타났으며 그 이후 급격히 감소되어 부화 직후에는 매우 낮은 농도 (0.22mg/ml)였고 부화 4일에 거의 없어 졌으며, 이와 같은 AFP 함량의 변화는 혈청 알부민 함량의 변화와 거의 반비례 함을 알았다. For the preliminary step to investigate the site of AFP synthesis, the ontogenic characteristics and the physiological function of AFP, alpha-fetoprotein was isolated from chick embryo serum through the procedures of CM-Sephadex C-50, hvdroxvapatite and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 chro-matography. The isolated AFP was proved to be pure and its molecular weight was found to be about 60 Kd. With this purified AFP, rabbit anti-chick hor was produced. The serum AFP level in chick embryo has been investagated by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoelec-trophoresis and single radial immunodiffusion from 7 days of incubation until 4 days after hatch-ing. It was found that the AFP level is increased from 0.81 mg/ml at daw-7 embryo to maximum value of 2.46 mg/ml at day-13 embryo, followed by rapid decreases until hatching.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.431-436
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• 2020

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is one of the most commonly used and reliable biomarkers for Hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC). However, the underlying mechanism of AFP expression in HCC is poorly understood. In this study, we found that TCP10L, a gene specifically expressed in the liver, is down-regulated in HCC and that its expression inversely correlates with AFP expression. Moreover, overexpression of TCP10L suppresses AFP expression whereas knockdown of TCP10L increases AFP expression, suggesting that TCP10L might be a negative regulator of AFP. We found that TCP10L is associated with the AFP promoter and inhibits AFP promoter-driven transcriptional activity. Taken together, these results indicate that TCP10L negatively regulates AFP expression in HCC and that it could be a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.959-963
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• 2015

Purpose: To find parameters that can increase alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) sensitivity and so help in accurate diagnosis and rapid management of hepatocullular carcinoma (HCC), as AFP has limited utility of distinguishing HCC from benign hepatic disorders for its high false-positive and false negative rates. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of AFP, 5'-nucleotidase enzyme activity (5-NU) and leucine aminopeptidase enzyme (LAP) activity were measured in 40 individuals. Results: LAP and 5'NU were elevated in HCC at p<0.001. Pearson correlation coefficients showed that changes in AFP exhibited positive correlation with both 5'-NU and LAP at (p<0.001). The complementary use of LAP only with AFP resulted in an increase in sensitivity of AFP from 75% to 90% in detecting HCC. The complementary use of both LAP and 5-NU with AFP resulted in an increased sensitivity of AFP in detecting HCC from 75% to 95%. Conclusions: LAP and 5-FU can be determined in HCC patients in combination with AFP to improve its sensitivity and decrease false negative results.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.103-110
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• 2001

$\alpha$-Fetoprotein(AFP) is a good marker for the detection of several diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma, gonadal germ cell tumor, gastric tumor, and Down's syndrome. In this study, we developed ELISA, using synthetic peptides corresponding to the epitopes of AFP. Five kinds of peptides were synthesized from AFP to produce antibodies in rats that recognize AFP in human plasma as well as amniotic fluid and do not cross-react with serum albumin. All five kinds of antibodies showed good reactivities with their peptide-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates. Anti-synthetic peptide 1 (R-N-E-Y-G-I-A-S-I-L, 4-13) antibody, in particular, reacted well with AEP as well as synthetic peptide 1-KLH but not with human serum albumin. The binding affinity(Kd) was 2.7$\times$10$^{-9}$M for peptide 1 and 6.8$\times$10$^{-8}$M for AEP. The range for measurement of AFP was 10~1,000 ng/ml. The within-assay and between-assay coefficients of variance(CV) were 4.83% and 10.97%, respectively. In a sample of 31 sera and 33 amniotic fluids, there was a good correlation between AFP values determined in this assay and those in a commercial kit. These results indicate that the antibodies against synthetic peptides corresponding to the epitopes of AFP are highly specific to APP and synthetic peptide-based ELISA would be useful for the measurement of human AFP.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.2003-2007
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• 2015

Background: Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in adults are considered abnormal. This parameter is used mostly in the diagnosis and follow-up of hepatocellular carcinomas and yolk sac tumors. Among the other rare tumors accompanied with elevated serum AFP levels, gastric cancer is the most common. In this study, we evaluated the follow-up and comparison of the treatment and marker response of patients with metastatic gastric cancer who had elevated serum AFP levels. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study, including all consecutive patients with advanced gastric cancer, who received systemic chemotherapy with elevated AFP level. Results: Seventeen metastatic gastric cancer patients with elevated AFP levels at the time of diagnosis were evaluated. Fourteen (82.4%) were males and three (17.6%) were females. The primary tumor localization was the gastric body in 8 (76.4%), cardia in 7 (41.2%), and antrum in 2 (11.8%). Hepatic metastasis was observed in 13 (76.4%) at the time of diagnosis. When the relationship of AFP levels and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) response of the patients with their radiologic responses was evaluated, it was found that the radiologic response was compatible with AFP response in 16 (94.1%) patients and with CEA response in 12 (70.6%); however, in 5 (29.4%) patients no accordance was observed between radiological and CEA responses. Conclusions: Follow-up of AFP levels in metastatic gastric cancer patients with elevated AFP levels may allow prediction of early treatment response and could be more useful than the CEA marker for follow-up in response evaluation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1999

This study was attempted to generate a monoclonal antibody against human $\alpha$-fetoprotein (AFP) and to produce an immunoassay, recognizing AFP in plasma and amniotic fluid. AFP was purified from human amniotic fluid and used to immunize mice. Spleens were taken from the mice and the cells were fused with mouse myeloma cells (Sp2/0-Ag-14) for the production of monoclonal antibodies by employing the hybridoma technology. As a result, a hybridoma cell line producing anti-AFP monoclonal antibody was cloned out and designated as MabF22. From isotyping analysis, it was found that monoclonal antibody MabF22 was IgG type with IgG1 heavy chain and k light chain. The binding specificity of MabF22 was analyzed by immunoblotting as well as by ELISA. MabF22 was highly specific, reacting with only AFP-containing samples. The binding affinity was determined by ELISA (free-capture mode) and Scatchard analysis. As a result, the value of Kd was 0.8$\times$10$^{-10}$M. The validity of the MabF22 for AFP assay was examined by two kinds of ELISAs, i.e., non-competitive and competitive ELISA. Both assays revealed that MabF22 reacted well with AFP in sample in a concentration-dependent manner. Standard curve and antibody titration curve were obtained by using purified AFP and MabF22. These results indicate that the monoclonal antibody produced in this study would be useful not only for research purposes but also for further development of immune-diagnostic kit for the measurement of AEP concentration.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.47-50
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• 2001

A one-step, two-site enzyme immunoassay was developed for measuring human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum and amniotic fluid using monoclonal antibodies (McAb) by eliminating the high-dose hook effect. Three McAbs that recognize different epitopes were selected among 16 different clones on the basis of epitope mapping, two for immobilization and one for horseradish peroxidase conjugation. This one-step immunoassay system is more convenient and rapid compared to a conventional two-step sandwich immunoassay system. It did not exhibit the hook effect to around 2.7 mg/ml of AFP, which is probably one of the highest concentrations of AFP in the serum. The dose-response curve of the system was linear to 500 mg/ml of AFP and the system could differentiate as low as 1 mg/ml of AFP The intra- and inter-assay variations were in an acceptable range; 95~104% and 97~105% respectively Its correlation with other commercial systems was around 95%.