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14 December, 2023 by Anshul (neobio)
Have you ever found yourself standing in front of an Immunoassay, scratching your head, and wondering about the role and function of CD11c macrophages? If so, you’re not alone. This is a common challenge faced by many research scientists like yourself. Often found emblematically marking a subset of cells within the intricate web of our immune system, CD11c macrophages play crucial roles that may not be immediately evident. Recognizing the importance of this protein, we’ve created this guide to take you on a fascinating journey into CD11c macrophages.
In the labyrinth of the immune system, CD11c stands as a beacon, marking specific cell types such as monocytes, granulocytes, a fraction of B cells, dendritic cells, and of course, macrophages. CD11c, formally known as Integrin alpha X, is a protein encoded by the ITGAX gene. This little protein has inflamed the curiosity of scientists at NeoBiotechnologies, which has led to a deeper understanding of the vital function it plays.
It’s important to clarify that CD11c, while certainly an element of macrophages, is not unique to these cells. It is also found on dendritic cells, making CD11c an important asset for discerning subclasses within the immune system.
CD11c macrophages have been shown to work on multiple fronts in our bodies, mediating a wide array of immune responses. One of their most substantial roles includes coordinating our defenses against threats – whether they’re harmful bacteria or rogue cancer cells.
To make matters more complex, the expression of CD11c is not universally constant. It can range from a low level in neutrophils to a bright expression in a subset of B cells, T cells, and NK cells. Recognizing these variations is crucial for understanding the expansive roles CD11c macrophages play in the immune system, and we’ll be diving deeper into this in the coming sections.
Key Takeaways CD11c Macrophages:
As we progress in this guide, we will dissect the layers of this protein, journeying from macrophage-specific expression and identification to functional impacts and potential therapeutic avenues. The enthralling world of CD11c macrophages awaits, let’s delve in.
When it comes to exploring the immune system, it’s crucial to understand that not all cells are created equal. Certain markers, like CD11c, help scientists like ourselves distinguish between different types of immune cells. In this section, we’re going to examine how CD11c expression varies among tissue-resident macrophages, and how we can identify CD11c+ and CD11c- macrophages.
Tissue-resident macrophages, as the name suggests, are macrophages that reside in specific tissues of the body. They play a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and responding to infections. One study published in Scientific Reports revealed that CD11c expression varies among these macrophages.
CD11c expression is abundant on monocytes, granulocytes, a subset of dendritic cells, and tissue macrophages. However, this marker is expressed at a lower level on neutrophils and can also be found on a subset of B cells, T cells, and NK cells. This differential expression of CD11c helps in identifying different types of macrophages and other immune cells.
Identifying CD11c+ and CD11c- macrophages is essential for understanding their distinct roles in immune responses. CD11c+ macrophages are primarily derived from bone marrow-derived monocytes and accumulate in a CCR2-dependent manner. On the other hand, CD11c- macrophages are mostly derived from embryonic progenitors and self-renew in specific organs.
Moreover, the expression of CD11c in macrophages isn’t static. It can vary with the age of the organism. For instance, CD11c- macrophages are the dominant population in embryonic and newborn mice but decrease as the mice age. Conversely, CD11c+ macrophages are rare in embryonic and newborn mice but expand rapidly as the mice grow older.
CD11c is more than just a marker for macrophages; it’s also a widely established marker for dendritic cells. This dual role makes CD11c a crucial tool for understanding the immune system. It helps to distinguish between different cell types and to identify the subsets of dendritic cells and macrophages.
In conclusion, CD11c serves as a valuable tool for identifying and distinguishing different types of immune cells. As our expert, Dr. Atul K. Tandon, Founder and CEO of NeoBiotechnologies, often emphasizes, understanding the expression and identification of CD11c is fundamental to both basic research and clinical applications.
In the next section, we will delve into the functional impacts of CD11c macrophages in the body and how they contribute to health and disease.
Having understood how CD11c macrophages are identified, let’s now explore their roles and impacts in the body. These macrophages contribute significantly to various physiological functions and immune responses.
CD11c macrophages play an intriguing role in salivary glands. They are primarily involved in gland development and function. The gland macrophages interact within their niche to prime for these roles. It is interesting to note that there are two subsets of CD11c macrophages in the salivary glands: CD11c+ and CD11c-. The CD11c- macrophages are predominant in embryonic and newborn mice and decrease with age. On the other hand, CD11c+ macrophages are rare during the embryonic period but expand rapidly after birth.
While the research above does not specifically mention the role of CD11c macrophages in folliculogenesis and ovulation, it is well-known that macrophages play crucial roles in reproductive health. NeoBiotechnologies provides a range of monoclonal antibodies that can be used in research to further understand these roles.
CD11c macrophages have a significant role in immune responses. CD11c is a recognized marker for dendritic cells, which are vital players in the immune system. These cells act as messengers between the innate and the adaptive immune systems. In addition, CD11c macrophages express the colony-stimulating factor (CSF)-1 receptor, which is crucial for the development of resident macrophages in the salivary glands.
In conclusion, CD11c macrophages are versatile immune cells that contribute to various physiological functions from gland development to immune responses. NeoBiotechnologies offers a wide range of highly validated monoclonal antibodies, perfect for researchers aiming to delve deeper into the roles and functions of CD11c macrophages.
CD11c macrophages play an integral role in the immune system and their presence in various tissue types indicate they contribute to a variety of physiological functions. Their expression on dendritic cells, granulocytes, monocytes, and a subset of B cells implies a broad implication in immunological responses and disease mechanisms.
Notably, CD11c macrophages are crucial to the development and function of salivary glands. Furthermore, these cells are also implicated in the onset and progression of diseases like Alzheimer’s, where CD11c+ microglia are detected near plaques. This suggests that CD11c macrophages might be involved in the neuroinflammatory responses related to neurodegenerative conditions.
In the context of cancer, CD11c+ cells are often found in high numbers in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, suggesting their role in anti-tumor immunity. High CD11c expression has been correlated with longer overall survival in patients with gastric cancer and high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
As we continue to unravel the multifaceted roles of CD11c macrophages in health and disease, it is crucial to further investigate their potential as therapeutic targets or diagnostic markers. The development of precise monoclonal antibodies, such as those offered by NeoBiotechnologies, can aid in the identification and research of CD11c macrophages.
Future research should focus on exploring the mechanisms by which CD11c macrophages influence disease progression and response to therapy. Additionally, more work is needed to understand the specific signaling pathways and interactions between CD11c macrophages and other immune cells.
In conclusion, CD11c macrophages play vital roles in the immune system, contributing to both health and disease states. As we advance our understanding of these cells, we open up new avenues for therapeutic intervention in various diseases. For researchers interested in studying CD11c macrophages, NeoBiotechnologies offers a comprehensive range of monoclonal antibodies that are highly validated and specific, ideal for a variety of applications.