Tenascin-C (TNC) is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein involved in tissue development, remodeling, and disease. It features a hexameric structure with multiple functional domains, including epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats, fibronectin type III repeats, and a fibrinogen-like domain. TNC regulates cell adhesion, migration, and signaling, playing dual roles in physiological processes (embryogenesis, wound healing) and pathologies such as cancer, fibrosis, and inflammation. In tumors, TNC promotes angiogenesis, metastasis, and stemness while suppressing immune responses.
Antibodies targeting Tenascin-C are critical tools for studying its expression, localization, and function. Developed against specific domains (e.g., FNIII repeats), these antibodies enable detection via Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), or immunofluorescence (IF). Monoclonal antibodies (e.g., clones BC24. MTn-12) offer high specificity, while polyclonal antibodies capture broader epitopes. Clinically, TNC antibodies have been explored as diagnostic markers in gliomas, breast cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis, and as therapeutic carriers for radioimmunotherapy or drug delivery.
Commercial TNC antibodies vary in species reactivity (human, mouse, rat) and applications. Researchers must validate them in context-dependent conditions, as TNC undergoes splice variants and post-translational modifications. Recent studies also highlight its potential as a biomarker for tissue regeneration and fibrotic progression.