LEFTY1 and LEFTY2. members of the TGF-β superfamily, are secreted cytokines critical in embryonic development, particularly in left-right axis patterning and mesoderm formation. They act as antagonists to Nodal signaling, regulating cell differentiation and tissue asymmetry. Beyond embryogenesis, these proteins are implicated in cancer progression, fibrosis, and immune modulation, often dysregulated in tumors or inflammatory conditions. Due to structural similarity and overlapping functions, distinguishing LEFTY1 and LEFTY2 via conventional methods is challenging.
Antibodies targeting LEFTY1+LEFTY2 are designed to detect both isoforms collectively, enabling researchers to study their combined roles in biological processes. These antibodies are widely used in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA to assess protein expression in developmental models, cancer studies, or regenerative medicine research. Their development addresses the need for tools to investigate redundant or synergistic functions of these paralogs, especially in contexts where isoform-specific antibodies may lack sensitivity.
Commercial LEFTY1+LEFTY2 antibodies are typically validated for cross-reactivity across species (e.g., human, mouse) and tested for specificity against related TGF-β proteins. Challenges include minimizing off-target binding while maintaining affinity for conserved epitopes. Such reagents are pivotal in exploring therapeutic strategies targeting LEFTY signaling, including cancer metastasis inhibition or tissue repair modulation. Ongoing research leverages these antibodies to decipher their roles in stem cell niches and tumor microenvironments, highlighting their dual diagnostic and functional significance.