CLEC4E Antibody
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
C-Type Lectin Domain Family 4 Member E (CLEC4E), also known as Macrophage-Inducible C-Type Lectin (MINCLE), is a protein encoded by the CLEC4E gene. This protein is a member of the C-type lectin/C-type lectin-like domain (CTL/CTLD) superfamily, which is characterized by a common protein fold and diverse functions, including cell adhesion, cell-cell signaling, glycoprotein turnover, and roles in inflammation and immune response .
The CLEC4E gene is located on chromosome 12p13.31 in humans and is closely linked to other CTL/CTLD superfamily members in the natural killer gene complex region . The gene encodes a type II transmembrane protein that contains a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) involved in pathogen recognition and cell-cell interactions . The protein is calcium-dependent and acts as a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) of the innate immune system, recognizing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) from bacteria and fungi .
CLEC4E plays a crucial role in the immune response by recognizing and binding to specific carbohydrate structures on pathogens. One of the notable PAMPs recognized by CLEC4E is mycobacterial trehalose 6,6’-dimycolate (TDM), a cell wall glycolipid with potent adjuvant immunomodulatory functions . Upon binding to its ligands, CLEC4E interacts with the signaling adapter Fc receptor gamma chain (FCER1G) to form a functional complex in myeloid cells, leading to the activation of downstream signaling pathways and the production of inflammatory cytokines .
Research on CLEC4E has shown its importance in the immune response to various pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. For example, CLEC4E has been found to specifically interact with Malassezia species, which cause skin diseases such as tinea versicolor and atopic dermatitis . Additionally, CLEC4E is involved in the recognition of mycobacterial components, making it a potential target for the development of new immunotherapies and vaccines .
Mouse anti-human CLEC4E antibodies are commonly used in research to study the expression and function of CLEC4E in human cells. These antibodies are generated by immunizing mice with human CLEC4E protein or peptides, followed by the isolation and purification of specific antibodies from the mouse serum. These antibodies can be used in various applications, including flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting, to detect and quantify CLEC4E expression in human tissues and cells.
