α-SMA is a critical marker used in histopathological studies to differentiate between various cell types. It is particularly useful in identifying smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts in tissue sections. This differentiation is crucial in diagnosing and understanding a range of conditions, including vascular diseases, fibrosis, and cancer. For instance, the presence of α-SMA in myofibroblasts is often associated with tissue remodeling and fibrosis, while its expression in epithelial cells can indicate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process implicated in cancer metastasis.
