**Background of BCAM Antibody**
The Basal Cell Adhesion Molecule (BCAM), also known as CD239 or Lutheran glycoprotein, is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is encoded by the *BCAM* gene and functions as a receptor for laminin α5. a key component of the extracellular matrix. BCAM is primarily expressed on red blood cells, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells, where it plays roles in cell adhesion, signaling, and tissue organization.
BCAM gained attention due to its involvement in pathological conditions. In sickle cell disease (SCD), BCAM on red blood cells binds to laminin α5 during vaso-occlusive crises, contributing to vascular obstruction. Additionally, BCAM is implicated in cancer progression, with overexpression observed in malignancies like colorectal, ovarian, and lung cancers, where it may promote metastasis by enhancing cell migration and invasion.
BCAM antibodies are tools used to study the protein's expression, localization, and function in both physiological and disease contexts. They enable detection of BCAM in tissues or blood samples, aiding in diagnostic and research applications. Therapeutic BCAM-targeting antibodies are under exploration to block pathogenic interactions, such as inhibiting vaso-occlusion in SCD or disrupting pro-metastatic signaling in cancers. Challenges remain in optimizing specificity and minimizing off-target effects, but BCAM antibodies hold promise as both research reagents and potential therapeutics.