Aggrecan monoclonal antibody to N-terminal neoepitope FFGV (mouse, clone BC14). This fragment is rapidly released from the tissue when MMP catabolism of aggrecan occurs and has been identified in synovial fluid samples from patients with degenerative joint diseases.

Proteoglycans are categorized depending upon the nature of their glycosaminoglycan chains (chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulphate and keratan sulphate) as well as characterized by size.

Aggrecan is a large aggregating proteoglycan of articular cartilage. It is found also in aorta tissue, discs, tendons and in the perineuronal net. It is responsible for hydrating cartilage, giving it compressibility and resilience during joint loading, thereby playing a major role in the normal function of cartilage. Depletion of glycosaminoglycan bearing aggrecan fragments is one of the earliest events in cartilage destruction.