FITC Mouse Anti-Human CD11a/CD18 Antibody (S-2969)

CD11a/CD18, also known as Lymphocyte Function-associated Antigen-1 (LFA-1), is a heterodimeric integrin predominantly expressed on the surface of all leukocytes, consisting of an alpha chain (CD11a) and a beta chain (CD18) linked by non-covalent bonds, and belongs to the β2 integrin family. As a critical adhesion molecule in the immune system, LFA-1 primarily mediates firm adhesion between leukocytes and vascular endothelial cells or other immune cells, a process essential for leukocyte migration from the bloodstream into inflamed or infected tissues (extravasation). Its mechanism involves specific binding to ligands such as Intercellular Adhesion Molecules (ICAM-1, ICAM-2, etc.), which is regulated by "inside-out" signaling that induces rapid conformational changes upon cell activation, shifting the molecule from a low-affinity to a high-affinity state to strengthen binding. Furthermore, CD11a/CD18 plays a central role in immunological synapse formation, T cell activation and proliferation, cytotoxic T cell-mediated killing of target cells, and neutrophil phagocytosis; functional defects lead to Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency type 1 (LAD-1), characterized by recurrent bacterial infections and impaired wound healing, while its hyperactivation is associated with various autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation, making it a significant target for anti-inflammatory drug development.