GDF2 (Growth Differentiation Factor 2), also known as BMP9 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9), is a member of the TGF-β superfamily involved in regulating angiogenesis, metabolic homeostasis, and tissue development. It primarily signals through the ALK1/BMPR2 receptor complex, activating SMAD1/5/8 pathways to influence endothelial cell function and vascular remodeling. GDF2 antibodies are tools designed to detect, quantify, or modulate GDF2 activity in research and therapeutic contexts.
These antibodies are widely used in immunoassays (e.g., ELISA, Western blotting) to study GDF2 expression patterns in diseases like hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), pulmonary arterial hypertension, and liver fibrosis. Neutralizing GDF2 antibodies have therapeutic potential for conditions driven by excessive angiogenesis, such as cancer or retinopathies, by blocking GDF2-receptor interactions. Conversely, agonist antibodies may mimic GDF2’s protective effects in metabolic disorders, as GDF2 enhances insulin sensitivity and regulates iron metabolism.
Commercial GDF2 antibodies vary in specificity (monoclonal vs. polyclonal) and applications (research, diagnostics). Validation remains critical due to cross-reactivity risks with related BMPs. Ongoing research explores GDF2’s dual roles in vascular health and disease, positioning its antibodies as valuable reagents for both mechanistic studies and drug development.