HECA抗体;HECA Antibody—艾普蒂

The HECA (Human Epidermal Carcinoma-Associated) antibody, notably the HECA-452 clone, recognizes a carbohydrate epitope expressed on cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA), a glycosylated form of PSGL-1. Initially identified in the 1990s, HECA antibodies were pivotal in studying lymphocyte homing mechanisms. CLA, targeted by HECA, is selectively expressed on skin-tropic memory T-cells and certain dendritic cells, facilitating their migration to cutaneous sites via interactions with E-selectin on inflamed endothelium. This epitope is also associated with pathological conditions, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), inflammatory skin disorders (e.g., psoriasis, atopic dermatitis), and metastatic cancers with skin tropism. HECA-452 serves as a diagnostic tool in dermatopathology to distinguish CTCL from benign inflammatory diseases. Recent studies explore its role in cancer metastasis, as CLA expression on circulating tumor cells may correlate with skin-specific dissemination. Despite its established utility, the exact structure of the HECA-reactive glycan and its functional implications in disease progression remain active research areas.