Hepatocyte Specific Antigen, also called Hepatocyte Paraffin 1 or Hep Par 1, localizes to the mitochondria of hepatocytes. It is a sensitive marker for distinguishing hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) from other metastatic carcinomas as well as cholangio-carcinomas. HCCs occur primarily in the stomach, but they are also found in many other organs. The Hepatocyte Specific Antigen may also be a useful marker for intestinal metaplasia. Reportedly, strong expression of the Hepatocyte Specific Antigen correlates with smaller tumor size and longer patient survival. Occasionally, Hepatocyte Specific Antigen is also found in gastric carcinomas as well as in a few other non-hepatic tumors.

The optimal dilution of the Hepatocyte antibody for each application should be determined by the researcher.

1. Staining of formalin-fixed tissues requires boiling tissue sections in 10mM Tris with 1mM EDTA, pH 9.0, for 10-20 min followed by cooling at RT for 20 minutes.2. The prediluted format is supplied in a dropper bottle and is optimized for use in IHC. After epitope retrieval step (if required), drip mAb solution onto the tissue section and incubate at RT for 30 min.

Extract of a formalin-fixed rejected-allograft of human liver was used a the immunogen for this Hepatocyte antibody.

Store the Hepatocyte antibody at 2-8oC (with azide) or aliquot and store at -20oC or colder (without azide).