Surfactant protein C (SFTPC) is a critical component of pulmonary surfactant, a lipid-protein complex essential for reducing alveolar surface tension and preventing lung collapse. Produced primarily by alveolar type II epithelial cells, SFTPC is a hydrophobic protein that contributes to surfactant stability and respiratory function. Antibodies targeting SFTPC are valuable tools in both research and clinical diagnostics, particularly for studying lung development, surfactant metabolism, and diseases linked to SFTPC dysfunction.
Mutations in the *SFTPC* gene are associated with hereditary interstitial lung diseases, such as familial pulmonary fibrosis and childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD). Anti-SFTPC antibodies enable the detection of SFTPC expression in tissue samples, aiding in the identification of protein misprocessing or deficiency in these conditions. In research, these antibodies are used in techniques like immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence to localize SFTPC in lung tissues or assess its expression levels in experimental models.
Clinically, SFTPC antibodies may assist in diagnosing rare surfactant-related disorders, though their utility is often complemented by genetic testing. Additionally, autoantibodies against SFTPC have been explored in autoimmune lung pathologies, though their pathogenic role remains less defined. Overall, SFTPC antibodies serve as pivotal reagents for unraveling surfactant biology and advancing understanding of respiratory diseases linked to surfactant impairment.