CXCR4 Studies on Neural and Stem Cells

The CXCR4 (C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4) protein is one member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR1) family. As a multipass membrane protein that is found in several tissues, it is the receptor for the C-X-C chemokine CXCL12/SDF-1. The CXCR4 ligand works by modulating intracellular calcium ion levels and activating the MAPK1/MAPK3 signal pathways. CXCR4 is also a receptor for extracellular ubiquitin, which produces enhanced levels of intracellular calcium and reduced levels of cellular cAMP. The CXCR4 protein governs a large variety of cellular processes ranging from hematopoiesis to cardiac ventricular septum formation. It has a key role in the vascularization of the gastrointestinal tract through controlling vascular branching and endothelial cell remodeling processes. Stumm’s group used the CXCR4 antibody in immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments to profile key factors directing interneuron migration in development of the cerebrocortex and neocortex¹. They demonstrated that the chemoattractant stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) guides migration and final layer-specific placement of CSCR4-expressing neurons.

Immunohistochemistry: CXCR4 Antibody

The same group also used the CXCR4 antibody in their adult brain studies on dual functions for SDF-1 in neurotransmission and cerebral infiltration in response to focal ischemia injuries². Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunoblotting studies done by Mo’s group and the CXCR4 antibody in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) showed that CXCR4 and its ligand CXCR12 can stimulate cyclin D1 and cell cycle progression in a PI3K-dependent fashion³. Stem cell experiments in Chen’s lab with the CXCR4 antibody in immunoblots shows that stimulation with adrenaline enhances the ability of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GSF) to accelerate mobilization of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC)⁴. The CXCR4 antibody has also been used to in parabiotic mouse models to monitor the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on mobilizing circulating osteogenic stem cells to fracture sites⁵.

Novus Biologicals offers CXCR4 reagents for your research needs including:

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