Rabbit Polyclonal COL4A2 Antibody

The COL4A2 antibody targets collagen type IV alpha 2 chain, a critical component of basement membranes. COL4A2. encoded by the COL4A2 gene, pairs with COL4A1 to form heterotrimers that assemble into collagen IV networks, providing structural support to extracellular matrices in tissues like blood vessels, kidneys, and the brain. Mutations in COL4A2 are linked to cerebrovascular, renal, and ophthalmologic disorders, including porencephaly, hemorrhagic stroke, and HANAC syndrome. COL4A2 antibodies are essential tools in research to study collagen IV’s role in tissue integrity, angiogenesis, and disease pathogenesis. They are used in techniques like immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence to localize and quantify COL4A2 expression in normal versus pathological states. Additionally, these antibodies help investigate basement membrane abnormalities in conditions such as Alport syndrome, diabetic nephropathy, and cerebral small vessel disease. Commercial COL4A2 antibodies are typically raised in rabbits or mice, validated for specificity against recombinant or endogenous proteins. Challenges include cross-reactivity with homologous domains in COL4A1 or other collagen chains, necessitating careful validation. Research using COL4A2 antibodies continues to uncover mechanisms underlying vascular fragility and tissue fibrosis, with potential implications for biomarker discovery and therapeutic targeting.