Chromogranin A (CHGA) is a key acidic glycoprotein found in the secretory granules of neuroendocrine cells, including neurons, endocrine cells, and certain tumors. It plays a critical role in regulating hormone secretion, granulogenesis, and cell signaling by binding catecholamines and calcium. CHGA antibodies are essential tools for identifying neuroendocrine tissues and tumors, such as pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, and carcinoids, in diagnostic immunohistochemistry. These antibodies target specific epitopes of the CHGA protein, enabling visualization of its expression in pathological samples.
Beyond diagnostics, CHGA antibodies are used in research to study secretory mechanisms, neuroendocrine differentiation, and cardiovascular diseases, as CHGA-derived peptides (e.g., vasostatin, pancreastatin) influence vascular tone and glucose metabolism. Elevated circulating CHGA levels, detectable via antibody-based assays (e.g., ELISA), correlate with neuroendocrine tumor burden, heart failure, and hypertension. However, CHGA expression varies by tumor type and differentiation status, necessitating careful interpretation alongside clinical data.
Developed using recombinant CHGA or peptide fragments, these antibodies require validation for specificity across applications (Western blot, IHC, IF). Their utility underscores CHGA’s dual role as a structural component of secretory granules and a prohormone generating bioactive peptides, bridging neuroendocrine physiology and disease pathology.