IGFBP3 Antibody

The Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins, or IGFBPs, are a family of homologous proteins that have co-evolved with the IGFs. They serve not only as shuttle molecules for the soluble IGFs, but also confer a level of regulation to the IGF signaling system. Physical association of the IGFBPs with IGF influences the bio-availability of the growth factors, as well as their concentration and distribution in the extracellular environment. In addition, the IGFBPs appear to have biological activity independent of the IGFs. Seven IGFBPs have thus far been described, each differing in their tissue distribution, half-lives and modulation of IGF interactions with their receptors. IGFBP3 is the most abundant IGFBP and is complexed with roughly 80% of the serum IGFs. Both IGFBP3 and IGFBP4 are released by dermal fibroblasts in response to incision injury.