VEGF Receptor 3 Monoclonal Antibody (AFL4), eBioscience™, Invitrogen™

Description

Description: The AFL4 monoclonal antibody reacts with the mouse VEGF receptor-3, also known as Flt-4. This 195 kDa molecule was identified as an endothelial-specific member of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. During early embryogenesis all endothelial cells express VEGFR-3, while in the adult tissues, VEGFR-3 expression disappears from the vascular endothelial cells and is observed only on the lymphatic endothelium. However, VEGFR-3 expression is induced in the adult tissue upon tumor implementation suggesting an important role for this receptor in the tumor angiogenesis. VEGF-C and VEGF-D bind to and activate VEGFR-3. AFL4 is an antagonist mAb. Applications Reported: The AFL4 antibody has been reported for use in flow cytometric analysis, immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting (WB), and immunohistochemical staining of frozen tissue sections. It has also been reported in blocking of ligand binding. (Please use Functional Grade purified AFL4, cat. 16-5988, in functional assays.). Applications Tested: The AFL4 antibody has been tested by flow cytometric analysis of in vitro differentiated mouse endothelial cells. In brief, mouse ES cells were incubated on collagen IV matrix for 4 days and subsequently stimulated with VEGF under serum free conditions to induce further differentiation. It is recommended that the antibody be carefully titrated for optimal performance in the assay of interest. Purity: Greater than 90%, as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is a key regulator of blood vessel development in embryos and angiogenesis in adult tissues. Unlike VEGF, the related VEGFC stimulates the growth of lymphatic vessels through its specificl ymphatic endothelial receptor VEGFR-3. In 1998, Dumont showed that targeted inactivation of the VEGFR-3 gene in mice resulted in defective blood vessel development in early embryos. Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis occurred, but large vessels became abnormally organized with defective lumens, leading to fluid accumulation in the pericardial cavity and cardiovascular failure at embryonic day 9.5. Thus, VEGFR3 has an essential role in the development of theembryonic cardiovascular system before the emergence of the lymphatic vessels.