Mouse Monoclonal CD49C Antibody

The CD49c antibody targets the integrin alpha-3 subunit (ITGA3), a transmembrane glycoprotein that pairs with the beta-1 subunit (ITGB1) to form the α3β1 integrin heterodimer. This integrin plays a critical role in cell-matrix adhesion by binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as laminin, fibronectin, and collagen, facilitating cellular processes like migration, proliferation, and tissue organization. α3β1 is highly expressed in epithelial, endothelial, and certain immune cells, where it influences cell signaling pathways, including MAPK and PI3K/AKT, impacting tissue repair, cancer progression, and angiogenesis. CD49c antibodies are widely used in research to study integrin-mediated functions in diseases like cancer, fibrosis, and inflammatory disorders. For example, elevated ITGA3 expression correlates with tumor metastasis and poor prognosis in cancers like breast and lung adenocarcinoma. These antibodies enable detection of integrin expression via flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, or Western blot, and functional blocking studies to explore α3β1's role in ECM interaction. CD49c-specific clones (e.g., clone C3 II.1) are validated for specificity across human and murine models, aiding therapeutic development targeting integrin signaling. Challenges include distinguishing α3β1 from other laminin-binding integrins (e.g., α6β1) and addressing context-dependent signaling outcomes in different microenvironments.