VTN

Background

Vitronectin(VTN) is a glycoprotein synthesized by hepatocytes with a 75 kDa molecular weight and it circulates predominantly as an internally folded and stabilized monomer. VTN is a crucial component of the human extracellular matrix (ECM) and is produced in the liver and secreted into plasma. The N-terminal part of the VTN is composed of a somatomedin-B (SMB) domain followed by a cell receptor binding site characterized by an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence. VTN contains four haemopexin-like domains which are predicted as putative haem-binding motifs with unknown function.

Vitronectin acts as an essential part of several biological processes, such as cell migration, adhesion, and angiogenesis. Importantly, it is also participating in the regulation of the terminal pathway of complement activation to limit the self-reactivity of the innate immune response. Recently, researchers have demonstrated that many bacterial species interact with VTN, but the functionality of these interactions in pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, it is also showed that VTN can promote cellular adhesion by interactions with the integrins αvβ1, αvβ3, αvβ5, and αIIbβ3. And, VTN is found at low concentrations in normal extracellular matrices but is raised in chronic inflammatory liver disease where its deposition in the sinusoids is indicative of progressive fibrosis.

Fig.1 Structure of VTN.Distributed under Public domain, from Wiki, without modification.

VTN Functional Service

Creative Biolabs provides the Anti-VTN Aptamer with a high affinity, specifically designed to bind to VTN and effectively block its interactions with integrins and other cell surface receptors. These products hold broad applications in cancer research, wound healing, and vascular biology, providing a non-toxic, highly specific alternative to antibodies for exploring VTN's functional mechanisms.

Fig.2 Interaction of VTN with integrin receptors to protect the blood-brain barrier.¹

VTN plays a crucial role in cell adhesion, migration, and tissue repair by interacting with integrins and extracellular matrix components. VTN functional tests, particularly those involving anti-VTN aptamers, are essential for assessing VTN's ability to modulate cell behavior and its involvement in various diseases, including cancer metastasis and wound healing. For example, a study utilizing anti-VTN aptamers has demonstrated inhibition of cancer cell migration and adhesion, highlighting VTN's role in tumor progression. Other VTN functional tests, such as flow cytometry and ELISA, have been used to measure VTN levels and its functional activity in different biological contexts. These tests are critical for understanding VTN's biological functions and therapeutic potential in disease treatment.

Creative Biolabs provides VTN-functional services, including customized aptamer development, VTN-mediated cell adhesion and migration studies, and tissue remodeling analysis. Our experienced team helps clients advance their research and achieve significant breakthroughs with high accuracy and efficiency.

Reference

1. Ruzha, Yelizhati, et al. "Role of vitronectin and its receptors in neuronal function and neurodegenerative diseases." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23.20 (2022): 12387. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.