Lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus protein C (Ly6C)

Lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus protein C (Ly6C) is a 14-16 kDa glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface glycoprotein belonging to the Ly6/uPAR superfamily. Primarily characterized in murine models, Ly6C is a defining marker for monocyte subsets, where high expression (Ly6C-high) identifies inflammatory monocytes and low expression (Ly6C-low) identifies patrolling monocytes (UniProt P0CW02, P0CW03). It plays a pivotal role in the regulation of leukocyte adhesion, migration, and differentiation, particularly during the transition of monocytes into macrophages or dendritic cells at sites of inflammation (PubMed: 21844396). In pathological states, Ly6C-high monocytes are recruited to tissues in response to cytokines, contributing to the progression of inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, and the formation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (PubMed: 23543767). Because of its central role in myeloid cell trafficking, Ly6C is frequently targeted in preclinical studies using monoclonal antibodies to deplete inflammatory cell populations or inhibit their recruitment, offering insights into potential therapies for human inflammatory and oncological conditions. Although humans lack a direct Ly6C ortholog, the protein remains a cornerstone for understanding myeloid biology and developing strategies to modulate the innate immune system (NIH Gene ID: 17067).

Other names

Ly-6CLy6C1Ly6C2Lymphocyte antigen 6CMonocyte marker Ly6C

Targeted depletion of inflammatory monocytes via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and inhibition of myeloid cell recruitment to inflammatory or tumor sites.