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08 January, 2024 by Anshul (neobio)
Are you in pursuit of reliable research tools to study tissue fibrogenesis and wound repair? If so, you have likely encountered references to the alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA) marker. Named due to its Alpha Isoform status and Smooth Muscle Actin properties, alpha SMA is a crucial protein found predominantly in myofibroblasts, implicated in both normal and abnormal tissue repair.
Alpha SMA is known for its distinct property of enabling cellular contraction, courtesy of its unique role within the contractile machinery of larger cells. This attribute is especially notable among myofibroblasts, key players in tissue healing. However, these same cells and their alpha SMA components are not restricted to beneficial roles. They can also contribute to pathological conditions such as fibrosis. Hence, gaining insights into alpha SMA and its associated cells is imperative for understanding both health and disease contexts.
In short:
Alpha SMA plays a pivotal part in the study of tissue damage and repair. Highly validated, monospecific Rabbit Recombinant Monoclonal Antibodies manufactured by NeoBiotechnologies emerge as a leading choice for scientists. These antibodies are deemed perfect for various applications, including Immunohistochemistry, Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, or Immunofluorescence, aiding researchers in their quest to dissect entrenched, complex biological puzzles, among them, the role of alpha SMA in wound repair and abnormal tissue fibrogenesis.
Expanding the discussion on alpha SMA, let’s delve into its presence and implications in various disease contexts. From cancer to muscular dystrophy and vascular diseases, alpha SMA has a distinctive role in these conditions.
Alpha SMA is prominently present in the tumor stroma of both human and murine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary liver cancer. It is widely expressed by myofibroblasts located between endothelial cells and cancer cell trabeculae in HCC [26].
The presence of alpha SMA-positive myofibroblasts in the stroma is directly linked with collagen synthesis around tumors. This occurrence suggests a contributory role of alpha SMA to tumor growth and metastasis in HCC. However, the exact source of these myofibroblasts remains a subject of further investigation, with bone marrow-derived myofibroblasts being a possible contributor.
Clinical observations have linked the abundance of myofibroblasts in HCC to poorer prognosis and increased recurrence after liver resection [29]. Patients with high alpha SMA expression in resected liver biopsies also showed worse outcomes, emphasizing the potential value of alpha SMA as a prognostic biomarker in HCC.
In the context of muscular dystrophy, particularly Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), alpha SMA also plays a crucial role.
In fibrotic muscles associated with DMD, myofibroblasts expressing both collagen I and alpha SMA are present. However, alpha-SMA co-expression is not detectable by collagen I/alpha-SMA double immunostaining.
Studies, such as those supported by Dr. Atul K. Tandon at NeoBiotechnologies, have shown that alpha-SMA is not a functional marker of fibrogenic cells in skeletal muscle fibrosis associated with muscular dystrophy. Despite the more severe fibrosis in the DMD model, alpha-SMA gene and protein expression levels were lower, indicating that it may not be a consistent marker of fibrogenesis in this context [35].
The ACTA2 gene, which codes for alpha SMA, is linked with various vascular diseases.
Mutations in the ACTA2 gene can lead to conditions like thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections, coronary artery disease, stroke, and Moyamoya disease. As such, alpha SMA, the protein product of ACTA2, is a crucial factor in these vascular diseases.
Abnormal regulation or mutations in the alpha SMA gene can alter the structure and function of the vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to the onset of numerous vascular diseases. Detailed understanding of alpha SMA’s role in these diseases can pave the way for potential therapeutic targets.
In conclusion, alpha SMA’s role extends beyond its function as a marker for myofibroblasts. Its involvement in various diseases underscores its importance in biomedical research and its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions.
Alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA) is an essential component in the research and development sector, especially in the field of biotechnology. This section will delve into how alpha SMA is utilized in identifying fibrogenic cells, its connection with the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathway, and its overall importance in biotechnological research.
Alpha SMA, a protein found in smooth muscle cells, myofibroblasts, and some blood vessels, is used as a marker to identify activated fibrogenic cells, particularly myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts are essential in the process of wound healing and tissue fibrogenesis, exhibiting a distinct ability to contract, which differentiates them from fibroblasts.
When fibroblasts transform into myofibroblasts, they demonstrate an increased expression of alpha SMA. This makes alpha SMA a reliable marker for tracking the fibrogenic activity of activated tissue fibrogenic cells, aiding researchers in studying fibrosis and wound healing mechanisms.
The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) pathway is central to the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. It also plays a crucial role in the fibrosis process, where it induces the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and upregulates the expression of alpha SMA.
A study published in Molecular Medicine confirmed that the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrotic effect of TGF-β1 is dependent on the regulation of the alpha SMA gene, underlining the importance of the TGF-β1-alpha SMA interaction in fibrogenesis. Understanding this interaction allows scientists to explore potential therapeutic interventions for fibrotic diseases.
In the realm of biotechnological research, the alpha SMA marker plays a significant role. Given its ability to identify myofibroblasts and its involvement in the TGF-β pathway, it serves as an essential tool in studying various diseases, particularly those related to fibrosis and wound healing.
Furthermore, alpha SMA is used in the production of monoclonal antibodies, which are essential tools in biomedical research. Companies like NeoBiotechnologies manufacture highly validated, monospecific Rabbit Recombinant Monoclonal Antibodies, ideal for various applications such as Immunohistochemistry, Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, or Immunofluorescence.
In conclusion, the alpha SMA marker is an indispensable tool in the field of biotechnological research and development. It provides valuable insights into the fibrogenic activity within tissues and plays a crucial role in understanding the mechanisms of fibrotic diseases. Understanding its function and applications further emphasizes its significance in the growing field of biotechnology.
Alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA) is not merely a structural protein found in smooth muscle cells, myofibroblasts, and blood vessels, but it also serves as a potent marker in biomedical research. As an alpha SMA marker, it offers a unique way to identify and study the activation of fibroblast to myofibroblast and their role in tissue fibrogenesis, which is vital in understanding wound repair and abnormal tissue fibrogenesis processes [26, 34].
Moreover, alpha SMA’s expression in non-muscle cells like myofibroblasts, which are known for their contractile ability, provides significant insights into various disease contexts, including hepatocellular carcinoma, muscular dystrophy, and vascular diseases. Such detailed understanding is crucial for developing therapeutic interventions for these conditions.
Future research directions in the field of alpha SMA could focus on further unraveling its role in different disease contexts, especially its potential as a prognostic marker for diseases like hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, exploring its involvement in the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) pathway could provide more insights into its role in tissue fibrosis and inflammation.
Moreover, the development of more specific and highly validated alpha SMA monoclonal antibodies, like those manufactured by NeoBiotechnologies, could greatly enhance the precision of alpha SMA detection and quantification in various research applications, such as Immunohistochemistry, Flow Cytometry, Western Blotting, and Immunofluorescence.
In conclusion, the alpha SMA marker holds great potential in biomedical research. Its significant role in various biological processes and disease mechanisms makes it an indispensable tool for understanding and combating a wide range of health conditions. As we continue to make advances in biotechnology, the importance of alpha SMA will undoubtedly continue to grow.
For further reading, visit our product page where you can find more about our highly validated monoclonal antibodies ideal for your research needs.
