Anti-TIM 3/HAVCR2 Antibody Picoband®

Overview

Anti-TIM 3/HAVCR2 Antibody Picoband® is an antibody reagent for detection of HAVCR2 (hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2). Researchers commonly use anti-HAVCR2 antibodies to measure relative expression and localization across biological samples, with assay selection guided by the listed applications (WB, IHC, Flow, ELISA).

Boster Bio Anti-TIM 3/HAVCR2 Antibody Picoband® catalog # A00657-4. Tested in ELISA, Flow Cytometry, WB applications. This antibody reacts with Human. The brand Picoband indicates this is a premium antibody that guarantees superior quality, high affinity, and strong signals with minimal background in Western blot applications. Only our best-performing antibodies are designated as Picoband, ensuring unmatched performance.

Key elements and design rationale

• Target: HAVCR2 — Cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factor ATF-6 alpha (hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2). Alternative names: Hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2; HAVcr-2; T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3; TIMD-3; T-cell immunoglobulin mucin receptor 3; TIM-3; T-cell membrane protein 3; HAVCR2; TIM3; TIMD3
• Antibody format: Polyclonal; Rabbit IgG
• Species context: Host: Rabbit, Reactivity: Human
• Purification: Immunogen affinity purified.
• Immunogen: E.coli-derived human TIM 3/HAVCR2 recombinant protein (Position: S22-P301).
• Molecular weight context: observed 55 kDa, calculated 74585 MW (reported)
• Provided application(s): WB, IHC, Flow, ELISA

These attributes help contextualize how the antibody is commonly selected (host/clonality/isotype/label) and how signals are interpreted across sample types and assay formats.

Biological background

Function: Cell surface receptor implicated in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses. Generally accepted to have an inhibiting function. Reports on stimulating functions suggest that the activity may be influenced by the cellular context and/or the respective ligand (PubMed:24825777). Regulates macrophage activation (PubMed:11823861). Inhibits T-helper type 1 lymphocyte (Th1)-mediated auto- and alloimmune responses and promotes immunological tolerance (PubMed:14556005). In CD8+ cells attenuates TCR-induced signaling, specifically by blocking NF- kappaB and NFAT promoter activities resulting in the loss of IL-2 secretion. The function may implicate its association with LCK proposed to impair phosphorylation of TCR subunits, and/or LGALS9- dependent recruitment of PTPRC to the immunological synapse (PubMed:24337741, PubMed:26492563). In contrast, shown to activate TCR-induced signaling in T-cells probably implicating ZAP70, LCP2, LCK and FYN (By similarity). Expressed on Treg cells can inhibit Th17 cell responses (PubMed:24838857). Receptor for LGALS9 (PubMed:16286920, PubMed:24337741). Binding to LGALS9 is believed to result in suppression of T-cell responses; the resulting apoptosis of antigen-specific cells may implicate HAVCR2 phosphorylation and disruption of its association with BAG6. Binding to LGALS9 is proposed to be involved in innate immune response to intracellular pathogens. Expressed on Th1 cells interacts with LGALS9 expressed on Mycobacterium tuberculosis- infected macrophages to stimulate antibactericidal activity including IL-1 beta secretion and to restrict intracellular bacterial growth (By similarity). However, the function as receptor for LGALS9 has been challenged (PubMed:23555261). Also reported to enhance CD8+ T-cell responses to an acute infection such as by Listeria monocytogenes (By similarity). Receptor for phosphatidylserine (PtSer); PtSer-binding is calcium-dependent. May recognize PtSer on apoptotic cells leading to their phagocytosis. Mediates the engulfment of apoptotic cells by dendritic cells. Expressed on T-cells, promotes conjugation but not engulfment of apoptotic cells. Expressed on dendritic cells (DCs) positively regulates innate immune response and in synergy with Toll-like receptors promotes secretion of TNF-alpha. In tumor-imfiltrating DCs suppresses nucleic acid-mediated innate immune repsonse by interaction with HMGB1 and interfering with nucleic acid-sensing and trafficking of nucleid acids to endosomes (By similarity). Expressed on natural killer (NK) cells acts as a coreceptor to enhance IFN-gamma production in response to LGALS9 (PubMed:22323453). In contrast, shown to suppress NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity (PubMed:22383801). Negatively regulates NK cell function in LPS-induced endotoxic shock (By similarity).

Cellular localization: Membrane; Single-pass type I membrane protein. Cell junction.

Tissue details: Expressed in T-helper type 1 (Th1) lymphocytes. Expressed on regulatory T (Treg) cells after TCR stimulation. Expressed in dendritic cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Expressed in epithelial tissues. Expression is increased on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In progressive HIV-1 infection, expression is up- regulated on HIV-1-specific CD8 T-cells.

Background: Hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2), also known as T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HAVCR2 gene. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily, and TIM family of proteins. CD4-positive T helper lymphocytes can be divided into types 1 (Th1) and 2 (Th2) on the basis of their cytokine secretion patterns. Th1 cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity to intracellular pathogens and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions, whereas, Th2 cells are involved in the control of extracellular helminthic infections and the promotion of atopic and allergic diseases. This protein is a Th1-specific cell surface protein that regulates macrophage activation, and inhibits Th1-mediated auto- and alloimmune responses, and promotes immunological tolerance.

Cross reactivity: No cross-reactivity with other proteins.

Research relevance and current trends

• Quantitative and spatial profiling: expression patterns are increasingly studied across cell states using multiplex imaging and omics-informed validation.
• Isoforms and post-translational modifications: researchers often evaluate how isoform composition and PTMs can shift apparent molecular weight or localization.
• Context-aware interpretation: comparative studies commonly include perturbations (stimulation, inhibition, genetic models) to relate target changes to pathway behavior.

Common research applications

• Western blot (WB): compare relative target abundance and apparent size shifts (e.g., isoforms/PTMs) across conditions.
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): assess distribution across tissue compartments and compare staining patterns between groups.
• Flow cytometry: quantify target-positive populations and compare shifts after stimulation or differentiation.

Across these uses, researchers typically interpret changes in signal as relative differences between matched sample groups, considering sample preparation and biological context.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Apparent molecular weight can vary due to isoforms, proteolysis, glycosylation, phosphorylation, and sample preparation differences.
• Species reactivity and epitope conservation can influence observed signal patterns, especially in cross-species studies.
• Control concepts: include appropriate negative controls (e.g., isotype controls where relevant) and, when feasible, genetic or orthogonal controls (KO/KD, peptide competition, or independent assays) to support interpretation.

For antibody reagents, monoclonal antibodies are often chosen for epitope consistency across lots, while polyclonals may recognize multiple epitopes and can show different background characteristics depending on context.

Customization & Add-ons: Can’t find the antibody you need—or require a custom format for your assay? We can help you source the best match or support custom antibody solutions for diverse research needs, including species and isotype selection, conjugations and labeling (e.g., HRP/AP, biotin, fluorophores), purification grade options (Protein A/G, affinity purified), formulation preferences (buffer selection, carrier-free, glycerol-free), custom concentrations and aliquoting, low-endotoxin options for cell-based work, and application-focused QC/validation support (project dependent). Click Talk to a Scientist to submit a request, email us at support@biohippo.com, or explore our Research Services for additional support—our team will follow up with feasibility details and next steps.