GFAP: Marker of Astrocyte Activation and Emerging Serum Biomarker

Glial ﬁbrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a signature intermediate filament (IF) in astrocytes that contributes to synapse formation and axonal metabolic homeostasis in the CNS. GFAP induction is crucial for the formation of extended and thickened astrocytic processes (astrocytosis) during neural repair. Chronic reactive astrocytosis is linked to several neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In 2018, the FDA authorized the first blood test to evaluate mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) through measurement of GFAP and the neuroaxonal marker ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1, PGP9.5) (1). Emerging evidence also indicates that plasma GFAP may be a useful marker of disease severity in multiple sclerosis (2).

GeneTex has introduced a series of recombinant rabbit monoclonal antibodies against GFAP and other key neurobiology proteins (see below) that expands its already broad catalog of well-validated conventional monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for neuroscience research. Please see the highlighted products below and visit our website at www.genetex.com for more details.