Blood vessels play a key role in carrying oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste products. When these blood vessels are damaged, it causes conditions like heart disease, stroke, or cancer. Vascular research helps scientists learn how blood vessels function and understand their structure and function in the body.
One protein that plays an important role in vascular health is CD31. This protein is found on the surface of the cells, which manage the formation of blood vessels and the movement of cells through blood vessels.
Read this post to learn how researchers use CD31 antibodies in research to study blood vessels and diagnose diseases that affect vascular health.
What Is CD31 And Why Is It Important In Vascular Research?
CD31, also known as Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (PECAM-1), is a protein found on the surface of endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels. CD31 is involved in “cell-cell interactions,” which help cells to bind and make a barrier that controls the movement of substances throughout the blood vessels. This process is called “vascular permeability,” and the protein maintains a proper balance between the blood and tissues.
In addition, CD31 is also involved in:
- Immune Response:
It helps immune cells to move through the blood vessel walls and reach areas of infection or injury.
- Regulation of immune cell movement:
CD31 controls the movement of immune cells and ensures that they defend the body and prevent inflammation.
- Gene encoding CD31:
The PECAM1 gene encodes the CD31 protein in humans, which is important for healthy vascular and immune system function.
By identifying the presence of CD31 protein in tissue samples, researchers study the behavior of blood vessels in different conditions. The CD31 (ABT-CD31) Antibody is particularly made for this, which identifies CD31 in tissue samples, and helps study the role of endothelial cells in disease.
Applications Of CD31 (ABT-CD31) Antibody In Diagnostics
- Diagnosis of Vascular Tumors (Benign and Malignant):
- CD31 is an essential marker for malignant vascular tumors.
- Hemangiomas & Related Tumors: It is effective for identifying benign angiogenic tumors.
- It also plays a role in diagnosing conditions like epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.
- Tumor Angiogenesis Assessment:
- CD31 (ABT-CD31) antibodies help measure blood vessels in tumors to check angiogenesis. A high level of CD31 shows the growth of the tumor and can predict tumor recurrence.
- Vessel Maturity: This also differentiates tumor vessels as either mature or immature, with mature vessels linked to better survival rates.
- Histopathology and Tissue Analysis:
- CD31 identifies endothelial cells in tissue samples. It helps researchers see vascular structures in both normal and diseased tissues.
- A lower amount of CD31 staining shows kidney injury or fibrosis.
- Non-Neoplastic Cardiovascular Diagnostics:
- Inflammation and Thrombosis: CD31 is used to study the role of endothelial interactions in these conditions.
- Preeclampsia: It helps check a decrease of PECAM-1 in placental tissue, and provides an insight into pregnancy-related vascular issues.
How Are CD31 Antibodies Transforming Therapy and Repair?
Targeted Drug Delivery:
Researchers are attaching CD31 (ABT-CD31) antibodies to a small carrier (Liposomes) to carry medicine directly to blood vessels, mainly in the lungs.
Regenerative Medicine:
CD31 antibodies help grow blood vessels in lab-made organs and identify stem cells that can repair damaged tissues by forming new blood vessels.
Final Thought
CD31 (ABT-CD31) Antibody plays an important role in advancing both vascular research and diagnostics. These help researchers study blood vessels and diagnose vascular diseases. With ongoing research, CD31 antibodies will continue to support the development of improved diagnostics and therapies.
