The RLN1 antibody is a key tool for studying relaxin-1 (RLN1), a peptide hormone belonging to the relaxin-insulin family. RLN1 is primarily known for its role in reproductive physiology, particularly in pregnancy, where it promotes uterine relaxation, cervical softening, and tissue remodeling. Beyond reproduction, RLN1 has broader biological functions, including anti-fibrotic, vasodilatory, and anti-inflammatory effects in cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic systems. It signals through the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), activating pathways like cAMP and nitric oxide to modulate extracellular matrix turnover and cellular proliferation.
RLN1 antibodies are widely used in research to detect and quantify RLN1 expression in tissues and biofluids via techniques such as Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA. These antibodies aid in exploring RLN1's involvement in pathological conditions, such as fibrosis, heart failure, and cancer, where dysregulated RLN1 expression may serve as a biomarker or therapeutic target. Commercial RLN1 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice against synthetic peptides or recombinant human RLN1. with validation across species like human, rat, and mouse. Challenges include ensuring specificity due to homology within the relaxin family and optimizing detection in low-abundance samples. Recent studies also investigate recombinant RLN1 as a potential therapy, underscoring the antibody's relevance in both basic research and translational applications.