NLRC4 (NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 4) is a cytosolic pattern recognition receptor critical for innate immunity. It forms inflammasomes—multiprotein complexes that activate caspase-1—upon detecting conserved bacterial components like flagellin or type III secretion system proteins. This process triggers pyroptosis and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, IL-18), essential for combating intracellular pathogens.
NLRC4 antibodies are tools used to study the expression, activation, and regulation of NLRC4 in immune responses. They help detect NLRC4 in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry, aiding research on its interaction with ligands (e.g., NAIP proteins) and downstream signaling. Mutations in NLRC4 are linked to autoinflammatory disorders (e.g., familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, macrophage activation syndrome), making these antibodies valuable for diagnosing or exploring pathogenesis.
In biomedical research, NLRC4 antibodies are applied to investigate host-pathogen interactions, inflammatory diseases, and cancer immunology. They enable visualization of inflammasome assembly dynamics and cellular localization, providing insights into NLRC4’s role in infection control, autoimmune dysregulation, and potential therapeutic targeting. Commercial NLRC4 antibodies are typically validated for specificity in human, mouse, or rat samples, though cross-reactivity varies. Recent studies also explore NLRC4’s involvement in non-infectious conditions, such as metabolic syndromes, expanding its relevance in immunology and translational medicine.