Hemocyanins are proteins that use copper binding sites to bind and transport oxygen in a variety of arthropods and mollusks. Hemocyanin is isolated from the hemolymph of the animals. Hemocyanin is one of the strongest antigens known. Hemocyanin has been in use as an immunological reagent for many years. It is used as a carrier protein for antibody production against antigens. Recent advances in immunology and the role immune system plays in diseases have opened a whole new era of product development activities aimed at developing novel therapeutics for teaching the body's immune system to fight diseases. The approach involves the use of highly immunogenic molecule like the hemocyanin for non-specific immunostimulation (NSI) or active specific immunostimulation (ASI) using conjugate vaccines, wherein the tumor (disease) specific antigens are covalently bound to carrier protein like KLH and the product used in human clinical studies. BioVision’s native KLH has low endotoxin content and consistent high concentration in a phosphate buffer containing no extraneous metal ions for product stabilization, however with improved stability. This research grade material is suited for use in vaccine product development activities and also for routine immunological studies, antibody production, production of activated KLH and other developmental activities.
