The CD44 family comprises a number of immunologically similar glycoproteins, which are expressed on the membranes of endothelial, mesenchymal, leukocyte and hepatocyte cells. The CD44 family has a number of functions. CD44 antibody assays have shown some that some isoforms play a role in abnormal gene splicing in human cells. Understanding this splicing mechanism is the key to many cancer research programs, hence we at Novus Biologicals have a broad range of conjugated and non-conjugated CD44 antibodies in the cancer section of our antibody catalog.
In immunobiology, CD44 is a valuable marker for memory cells, since B-cell and T-cell activation in the immune response leads to high expression of CD44. The protein is bound to hyaluronic acid in the extracellular matrix. When an antigen triggers the immune response and activates the T-helper cells, CD44 activity is increased by upregulation. However, despite its usefulness as a marker protein, its role in the immune response has remained elusive.
-Western%20Blot-NBP1-47386-img0002.jpg "Western Blot: CD44 Antibody")
Western Blot: CD44 Antibody
Recently, scientists at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute discovered that CD44 can assist a specific subset of T-helper cells, Th1, to actualise immunologic memory. The study showed that in the absence of CD44, Th1 cells tagged to an influenza virus fragment underwent rapid autophagy, thus blocking the development of immunologic memory.
Conducting IHC analysis using Fas antibodies and CD44 antibodies, the team further showed that CD44 played an anti-apoptotic role when cell death was initiated by the Fas receptor. The study also demonstrated that anti-apoptosis could be modulated by antibodies capable of regulating CD44 signaling.
T-cells can have pathogenic effects on the body by overexpression of cytokines. It was suggested CD44 may have a therapeutic role to play in this.
Novus Biologicals offers many CD44 reagents for your research needs including:
