CD220 antibody targets the insulin receptor (IR), a cell surface glycoprotein encoded by the INSR gene. The IR is a heterotetrameric transmembrane receptor composed of two extracellular α-subunits and two transmembrane β-subunits linked by disulfide bonds. It plays a critical role in insulin signaling, regulating glucose uptake, lipid synthesis, and cell growth. CD220 antibodies are valuable tools for studying IR expression, activation, and dysfunction in metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity, as well as in cancers where aberrant IR signaling promotes proliferation.
Monoclonal CD220 antibodies are widely used in research to detect IR isoforms (IR-A and IR-B) via techniques such as flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot. Some therapeutic antibodies targeting IR have been explored for cancer treatment, though challenges like off-target effects on metabolic pathways remain. Additionally, autoantibodies against IR are associated with rare conditions like type B insulin resistance syndrome.
CD220 antibodies also help elucidate mechanisms of insulin resistance, including receptor internalization defects or phosphorylation anomalies. Their specificity enables differentiation between IR and the closely related insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), aiding precision in pathway analysis. Overall, CD220 antibodies are indispensable in both basic research and clinical investigations of insulin-related pathologies.