CD93

Official Full Name

CD93 molecule

Organism

Homo sapiens

Gene ID

22918

Background

The protein encoded by this gene is a cell-surface glycoprotein and type I membrane protein that was originally identified as a myeloid cell-specific marker. The encoded protein was once thought to be a receptor for C1q, but now is thought to instead be involved in intercellular adhesion and in the clearance of apoptotic cells. The intracellular cytoplasmic tail of this protein has been found to interact with moesin, a protein known to play a role in linking transmembrane proteins to the cytoskeleton and in the remodelling of the cytoskeleton. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Synonyms

C1QR1; C1qRP; CDw93; ECSM3; MXRA4; C1qR(P); dJ737E23.1

Cat.No.	Product Name	Price
CSC-DC002782	Panoply™ Human CD93 Knockdown Stable Cell Line	Inquiry
CSC-SC002782	Panoply™ Human CD93 Over-expressing Stable Cell Line	Inquiry
CLOE-0601	Human CD93(His) HEK293 Cell Lysate	Inquiry
CLOE-0604	Human CD93(Fc) HEK293 Cell Lysate	Inquiry
CLOE-2063	Rat Cd93 (His) HEK293 Cell Lysate	Inquiry
CSC-RO0858	Human CD93 Stable Cell Line - CHO-K1	Inquiry
CSC-RO0862	Mouse Cd93 Stable Cell Line - HEK293T	Inquiry

Cat.No.	Product Name	Price
AD03379Z	Human CD93 adenoviral particles	Inquiry
LV08492L	human CD93 (NM_012072) lentivirus particles	Inquiry

Cat.No.	Product Name	Price
SHG159865	shRNA set against Mouse Cd93(NM_010740.3)	Inquiry
SHG160045	shRNA set against Human CD93(NM_012072.3)	Inquiry
SHH259494	shRNA set against Mouse CD93 (NM_010740.3)	Inquiry
SHH259497	shRNA set against Rat CD93 (NM_053383.1)	Inquiry
SHW003260	shRNA set against Chicken CD93 (NM_001199451)	Inquiry

Cat.No.	Product Name	Price
CDFL002472	Mouse Cd93 cDNA Clone(NM_010740.3)	Inquiry
CDFR013132	Rat Cd93 cDNA Clone(NM_053383.1)	Inquiry
MiUTR1H-01916	CD93 miRNA 3'UTR clone	Inquiry
MiUTR1M-02806	CD93 miRNA 3'UTR clone	Inquiry
MiUTR1R-00641	CD93 miRNA 3'UTR clone	Inquiry
CDCB164735	Chicken CD93 ORF Clone (NM_001199451)	Inquiry
CDCB186591	Rabbit CD93 ORF clone (XM_002710939.2)	Inquiry
CDCL183442	Mouse CD93 ORF clone(NM_010740.3)	Inquiry
CDCL183443	Rat CD93 ORF clone(NM_053383.1)	Inquiry
CDCR295332	Human CD93 ORF Clone(NM_012072.3)	Inquiry
CDCS413184	Human CD93 ORF Clone (BC028075)	Inquiry

Detailed Information

The CD93 gene, located on human chromosome 20p11.21, encodes a type I transmembrane glycoprotein. Initially identified as a myeloid cell-specific surface marker and proposed as a receptor for complement component C1q (hence the name C1qRp), subsequent studies have redefined its role primarily in cell adhesion and clearance of apoptotic cells.

Structurally, CD93 possesses a distinctive extracellular region comprising a C-type lectin-like domain, multiple EGF-like repeats, and a heavily glycosylated mucin-like domain, suggesting its involvement in protein–protein and protein–carbohydrate interactions. Its relatively short intracellular domain interacts with moesin, a member of the ERM (ezrin-radixin-moesin) family, which links membrane proteins to the actin cytoskeleton, providing structural support for cell morphology and motility. CD93 expression is not limited to myeloid cells; it is highly expressed on endothelial cells, particularly activated and proliferating vascular endothelium, highlighting its potential importance in vascular biology.

Biological Significance

CD93 exhibits multifaceted biological functions, primarily centered on innate immune regulation and angiogenesis. In the immune system, CD93 acts as a functional receptor for opsonins including C1q, mannose-binding lectin, and surfactant protein A. These molecules mark apoptotic cells or immune complexes, and CD93 recognition enhances phagocytic uptake by macrophages and other phagocytes, promoting efficient clearance of apoptotic cells. This process is crucial for homeostasis, preventing release of intracellular toxins and autoimmune activation.

Figure 1. The CD93 signaling pathway in migrating endothelial cells. (Barbera S, et al., 2021)

In vascular biology, CD93 is a marker of endothelial activation and actively promotes angiogenesis. Mechanistically, CD93 interacts with β-dystroglycan, recruiting and activating SRC kinase, leading to CBL adaptor phosphorylation and formation of docking platforms for downstream molecules such as CRKL, ultimately driving endothelial cell migration, a key step in neovascularization. Recent studies also identified CD93 as the endothelial receptor for extracellular matrix glycoproteins multimerin-2 (MMRN2) and IGFBP7, which regulate cell adhesion, spreading, and tubular structure formation. Furthermore, CD93 modulates VEGFR2 signaling, influencing endothelial barrier integrity. Collectively, CD93 functions as a cell-surface integrator, coordinating extracellular matrix signals with cytoskeletal rearrangements to regulate immune clearance and tissue remodeling.

Clinical Relevance

CD93's clinical relevance is increasingly recognized, particularly as a biomarker and therapeutic target in vascular diseases and oncology. In tumors, CD93 plays a central role in tumor angiogenesis, making it an attractive anti-angiogenic target. Elevated CD93 expression on endothelial cells is observed in glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer, often correlating with poor prognosis. Preclinical studies show that monoclonal antibody blockade or gene silencing of CD93 inhibits tumor vascularization, causing tumor necrosis and growth restriction, supporting its potential as a therapeutic target. Given resistance issues with VEGF-targeted therapies, CD93-targeted interventions offer a promising complementary or alternative angiogenesis strategy.

Beyond oncology, CD93 may contribute to pathological angiogenesis in conditions such as atherosclerosis and diabetic retinopathy. Its role in apoptotic cell clearance also suggests potential links to autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, where defective clearance triggers autoimmune activation. While no CD93-targeted therapies have yet entered clinical use, ongoing studies exploring its interaction with MMRN2 and IGFBP7 may enable future interventions for abnormal angiogenesis or immune dysregulation. Additionally, soluble CD93 levels in serum are being investigated as a biomarker of endothelial activation and inflammatory disease activity. Overall, CD93 represents a multifunctional interface between innate immunity and vascular biology, with emerging diagnostic and therapeutic potential across multiple human diseases.

References

Greenlee MC, Sullivan SA, Bohlson SS. Detection and characterization of soluble CD93 released during inflammation. Inflamm Res. 2009;58(12):909–919.
Langenkamp E, Zhang L, Lugano R, et al. Elevated expression of the C-type lectin CD93 in the glioblastoma vasculature regulates cytoskeletal rearrangements that enhance vessel function and reduce host survival. Cancer Res. 2015;75(21):4504–4516.
Barbera S, Lugano R, Pedalina A, et al. The C-type lectin CD93 controls endothelial cell migration via activation of the Rho family of small GTPases. Matrix Biol. 2021 May;99:1-17.

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