CD140a, also known as platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα), is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the tyrosine kinase receptor family. It plays key roles in cell signaling, particularly in regulating cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival. CD140a is primarily expressed on mesenchymal lineage cells, including fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and certain stem cells. Its activation occurs upon binding to specific ligands, such as PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB, leading to receptor dimerization and initiation of downstream signaling pathways like MAPK and PI3K/AKT.
CD140a antibodies are critical tools in biomedical research for identifying and isolating PDGFRα-expressing cells. They are widely used in flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting to study cellular responses in development, tissue repair, and disease. Dysregulation of PDGFRα signaling is linked to pathological conditions, including fibrosis, atherosclerosis, and cancers like gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), where PDGFRα mutations drive oncogenesis.
In stem cell research, CD140a antibodies help characterize mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and other progenitor populations. Therapeutic applications targeting PDGFRα, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinib), highlight its clinical relevance. CD140a antibodies thus serve as both diagnostic tools and facilitators in developing targeted therapies for PDGFRα-associated disorders.