**Background of GZMK Antibody**
Granzyme K (GZMK), a serine protease primarily expressed in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells, plays a dual role in immune regulation. Traditionally associated with inducing apoptosis in virus-infected or cancerous cells, GZMK also contributes to inflammatory signaling by cleaving substrates like cytokines and extracellular matrix proteins. Unlike other granzymes (e.g., Granzyme B), GZMK lacks direct cell-killing efficiency but modulates immune responses through non-cytotoxic pathways, influencing conditions such as chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer progression.
GZMK antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and function in immune processes. These antibodies enable detection via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and flow cytometry, aiding research into GZMK's role in diseases like sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, and viral infections. Recent studies highlight GZMK's involvement in extracellular matrix remodeling and cytokine activation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target or biomarker. Commercial GZMK antibodies are typically validated for specificity across human and murine models, often using recombinant proteins for standardization.
Research on GZMK continues to expand, emphasizing its context-dependent roles in both protective immunity and pathological tissue damage, making it a focal point in immunology and translational medicine.