**Background of TNNI3 Antibody**
The TNNI3 antibody targets troponin I type 3 (TNNI3), a protein encoded by the *TNNI3* gene, which is exclusively expressed in cardiac muscle. TNNI3 is a critical component of the troponin complex, regulating calcium-mediated interactions between actin and myosin during cardiac muscle contraction. As a specific isoform of troponin I, it plays a pivotal role in maintaining proper cardiac function by modulating the sensitivity of myofilaments to calcium ions.
Antibodies against TNNI3 are widely used in cardiovascular research and diagnostics. They help detect and quantify TNNI3 protein levels in tissues or serum, aiding in the study of cardiac diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and myocardial infarction. Mutations in *TNNI3* are linked to inherited cardiomyopathies, making TNNI3 antibodies valuable for investigating genetic variants and their pathological mechanisms.
In clinical settings, TNNI3 antibodies are employed in immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry) to measure cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a gold-standard biomarker for myocardial injury. Elevated cTnI levels in blood indicate acute cardiac damage, guiding diagnosis and treatment.
Commercial TNNI3 antibodies are typically validated for specificity and sensitivity across species, including humans and model organisms. Their applications extend to studying cardiac development, disease modeling in transgenic animals, and evaluating therapeutic interventions targeting cardiac dysfunction.