CD49c antibody targets the CD49c antigen, a subunit of integrin α3 (ITGA3), which pairs with the β1 subunit (ITGB1) to form the heterodimeric receptor α3β1 integrin. Integrins are transmembrane adhesion molecules critical for cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, mediating processes like cell adhesion, migration, and signaling. The α3β1 integrin specifically binds to ECM components such as laminin, collagen, and fibronectin, playing roles in tissue morphogenesis, wound healing, and cancer progression.
CD49c antibodies are widely used in research to study α3β1 integrin's function in physiological and pathological contexts. In cancer, α3β1 is implicated in tumor invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy, with overexpression observed in carcinomas of the breast, lung, and pancreas. Conversely, it also regulates epithelial cell polarity and suppresses aggressive phenotypes in certain contexts, highlighting its dual roles. In developmental biology, α3β1 is essential for kidney and lung organogenesis. CD49c antibodies enable detection of integrin expression via flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, or Western blot, aiding mechanistic studies.
Therapeutic potential is explored in fibrosis and autoimmune diseases, where aberrant α3β1 activity contributes to pathological ECM remodeling. CD49c antibodies may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic agents, though clinical applications remain investigational. Overall, CD49c antibodies are vital tools for unraveling integrin-mediated cellular processes and their implications in disease.