The LAMA4 antibody is a tool used to detect laminin alpha-4 (LAMA4), a subunit of the heterotrimeric laminin family of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Laminins are critical for basement membrane assembly and function, mediating cell adhesion, migration, and signaling. LAMA4. encoded by the *LAMA4* gene, forms laminin-411 (α4β1γ1) and laminin-421 (α4β2γ1), which are expressed in vascular, neural, and muscle tissues. These isoforms play roles in angiogenesis, tissue repair, and tumor microenvironment regulation.
LAMA4 antibodies are widely utilized in research to study ECM remodeling in developmental biology, cancer metastasis, and cardiovascular diseases. In cancer, LAMA4 exhibits dual roles: promoting tumor angiogenesis and invasiveness in some contexts, while suppressing metastasis in others, depending on isoform interactions and tissue specificity. Antibodies against LAMA4 enable detection via techniques like Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence, aiding in localization and expression level analyses.
Studies using LAMA4 antibodies have highlighted its involvement in pathological conditions, including fibrosis, atherosclerosis, and muscular dystrophy. Recent interest focuses on its potential as a therapeutic target or biomarker for diseases linked to ECM dysregulation. However, functional complexity and isoform diversity necessitate careful validation of antibody specificity to ensure accurate experimental outcomes.