Human MFG-E8 Alexa Fluor® 594-conjugated Antibody

Applications

Please Note: Optimal dilutions should be determined by each laboratory for each application. General Protocols are available in the Technical Information section on our website.

Preparation and Storage

Background: MFG-E8

Milk Fat Globulin Protein E8 (MFG-E8), also known as Lactadherin, MP47, breast epithelial antigen BA46, and SED1, is a pleiotropic secreted glycoprotein that promotes mammary gland morphogenesis, angiogenesis, and tumor progression. MFG-E8 also plays an important role in tissue homeostasis and the prevention of inflammation (1). Human MGF-E8 contains one N-terminal EGF-like domain and two C‑terminal F5/8-type discoidin-like domains (2). It shares 63% and 61% aa sequence identity with comparable regions of mouse and rat MFG-E8, respectively. Shorter isoforms of human MFG-E8 may have N-terminal deletions (beginning near the end of the first discoidin-like domain), internal deletions (lacking either the EGF-like domain or the central region of the second discoidin-like domain), or C‑terminal deletions (truncated within the second discoidin-like domain) (3). A 50 aa internal proteolytic fragment of human MFG-E8 (known as Medin) is a major component of aortic medial amyloid deposits (4). MFG-E8 is released into the milk in complex with lipid-containing milk fat globules. It is also found in multiple other cell types including endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of the vasculature, immature dendritic cells, at the acrosomal cap of testicular and epididymal sperm, and in epithelial cells of the endometrium (1). MFG-E8 binds to the Integrins alpha V beta 3 and alpha V beta 5 and potentiates the angiogenic action of VEGF through VEGF R2 (5, 6). It reduces inflammation and tissue damage in a variety of settings. MFG-E8 functions as a bridge between phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells and Integrin alpha V beta 3 on phagocytes, leading to the clearance of apoptotic debris (7). It mediates the engulfment of apoptotic bodies in atherosclerotic plaques and prion-infected brain (8, 9) and of apoptotic B cells during germinal center reactions (10, 11). MFG-E8 also promotes the removal of excess Collagen in fibrotic lungs and the regeneration of damaged intestinal epithelia (12, 13). Its tissue-protective role impairs anti‑tumor immunity and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis (14). MFG-E8 in the breastmilk blocks rotavirus infection in nursing babies (15).

Product Datasheets

Related Research Areas

• Adhesion Molecules in Angiogenesis
• Apoptosis Adaptor Proteins
• Endothelial Cell Development Molecules
• Epithelial Cell Markers and Intracellular Molecules
• Immunoglobulin Superfamily CAMs
• Inflammatory Mediators
• Integrins and Associated Molecules
• Mouse Tissue-Resident Macrophage Markers
• Surface Ectodermal Cells