Breast tumour metastasis – the Jagged edge of antibody research

The human Jagged (JAG) proteins are Notch receptor ligands, playing an essential role in cell-to-cell signaling, gene expression and cellular differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissue. Antibody research has shown Jagged 1 also plays a role in hematopoiesis in association with Notch 1. Jagged 1 antibodies are also used in Alagille syndrome research, characterized by mutations in the JAG1 gene.

Recently, scientists from Princeton University used Jagged 1 antibodies to reveal Jagged 1 as an important mediator of bone metastasis in an animal model of human breast cancer. Jagged 1 was seen to activate the Notch pathway in osteocytes and other bone cells, triggering metastasis and secondary bone cancer.

Using mouse mammary tumor 4T1 cell lines, the team performed antibody assays to assess endogenous levels of receptors, ligands and downstream signaling targets of the Notch 1 pathway.

In two mouse sub-lines, researchers used a short-hairpin RNA knock-down technique to block expression of Jagged 1. The mice were then injected with tumor cells. Bioluminescence imaging revealed JAG1 knockdown delayed metastasis onset and prolonged survival, with a six to ten-fold reduction in tumor cell formation compared to controls, the difference being most pronounced three weeks after injection. This suggested tumor-derived Jagged1 is essential for effective growth of bone lesions triggered by metastasis.

The researchers also injected tumor cells over-expressing JAG1 (JAG1+) into mildly metastatic mice. It was observed this led to early development of bone metastases and advanced osteolytic lesions. Ki67 staining also revealed a higher number of proliferating cancer cells in this group. Antibody assays indicated Notch target gene levels were significantly raised in the tumor-associated stroma of the JAG1+ metastases group. It was suggested JAG1 over-expression may promote osteolytic metastasis by Notch activation in bone tissue.

We at Novus Biologicals are one of the leading antibody suppliers for cancer research, with an extensive antibody database covering the areas of metastasis and Notch signaling.


The human Jagged (JAG) proteins are Notch receptor ligands, playing an essential role in cell-to-cell signaling, gene expression and cellular differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissue. Antibody research has shown Jagged 1 also plays a role in hematopoiesis in association with Notch 1. Jagged 1 antibodies are also used in Alagille syndrome research, characterized by mutations in the JAG1 gene.

Recently, scientists from Princeton University used Jagged 1 antibodies to reveal Jagged 1 as an important mediator of bone metastasis in an animal model of human breast cancer. Jagged 1 was seen to activate the Notch pathway in osteocytes and other bone cells, triggering metastasis and secondary bone cancer.

Using mouse mammary tumor 4T1 cell lines, the team performed antibody assays to assess endogenous levels of receptors, ligands and downstream signaling targets of the Notch 1 pathway.

In two mouse sub-lines, researchers used a short-hairpin RNA knock-down technique to block expression of Jagged 1. The mice were then injected with tumor cells. Bioluminescence imaging revealed JAG1 knockdown delayed metastasis onset and prolonged survival, with a six to ten-fold reduction in tumor cell formation compared to controls, the difference being most pronounced three weeks after injection. This suggested tumor-derived Jagged1 is essential for effective growth of bone lesions triggered by metastasis.

The researchers also injected tumor cells over-expressing JAG1 (JAG1+) into mildly metastatic mice. It was observed this led to early development of bone metastases and advanced osteolytic lesions. Ki67 staining also revealed a higher number of proliferating cancer cells in this group. Antibody assays indicated Notch target gene levels were significantly raised in the tumor-associated stroma of the JAG1+ metastases group. It was suggested JAG1 over-expression may promote osteolytic metastasis by Notch activation in bone tissue.

We at Novus Biologicals are one of the leading antibody suppliers for cancer research, with an extensive antibody database covering the areas of metastasis and Notch signaling.

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