CD74 Antibody, Clone PIN.1

CD74, also known as the invariant chain, is a non-polymorphic type II transmembrane protein primarily recognized for its role as a chaperone for MHC class II molecules. It facilitates the proper folding, ER exit, and trafficking of MHC class II complexes to endosomal compartments, where it also contributes to peptide editing and antigen presentation. While traditionally associated with professional antigen-presenting cells, CD74 expression extends to non-immune cells under inflammatory conditions, including epithelial and neural cells. This broader expression pattern has important implications for neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disease. Beyond its classical role, CD74 also functions as a high-affinity receptor for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. CD74-MIF signaling activates downstream pathways involved in cell survival, immune activation, and neuroinflammation—key processes in the progression of neurodegeneration. Notably, CD74 has a very short surface half-life (under 10 minutes), rapidly internalizing upon ligand binding. This property, combined with its restricted expression in healthy tissues, makes CD74 an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in both cancer and neuroinflammatory conditions. As a molecule at the intersection of immune regulation and neuronal health, CD74 is gaining recognition as a critical player in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.

CD74, DHLAG, HLA DR gamma, HLADG, p33, p35, Protein 41, CD74 antigen (invariant polypeptide of major histocompatibility complex, class II antigen-associated), CD74 antigen, CD74 molecule, CD74 molecule, major histocompatibility complex, class II invariant chain, CLIP, Gamma chain of class II antigens, HG2A_HUMAN, HLA class II histocompatibility antigen gamma chain, HLA DR antigens associated invariant chain, HLA-DR antigens-associated invariant chain, HLA-DR-gamma, HLADR antigens associated invariant chain, Ia antigen associated invariant chain, Ia antigen-associated invariant chain, Ia associated invariant chain, Ia gamma, Ii, Invariant polypeptide of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen associated, la-gamma, Major histocompatibility complex class II invariant chain, MHC HLA DR gamma chain, MHC HLA-DR gamma chain

1 µg/ml of SMC-116 was sufficient for detection of CD74 in 20 µg of PALA cell lysates by colorimetric immunolot analysis using goat anti-mouse IgG: AP as the secondary antibody.

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1. Becker-Hermann, S., Arie, G., Medvedovsky H, Kerem A, and Shachar I. (2005) Mol Bio Cell. 16 (11) :5061-9. 2. Barrera CA., et al (2005) J Histochem Cytochem 53 (12) : 1481-9. 3. Starlets D., et al. (2006) Blood. 107 (12) : 4807-4816. 4. Burton JD., et al. (2004) . Clin Cancer Res. 10 (19) : 6606-11. 5. Denzin L.K., Hammond, C. and Cresswell, P. (1996) J. Exp. Med. 184: 2153-2165. 6. Denzin L.K., Robbins N.F., Carboy-Newcomb C. and Cresswell P. (1994) Immunity 1: 595-606.