The hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) antibody is a tool used to detect and study the HAS2 enzyme, a key player in synthesizing hyaluronan (HA), a major glycosaminoglycan in the extracellular matrix. HAS2 catalyzes the elongation of HA chains by alternately adding glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine to growing polysaccharides. This enzyme is critical in physiological processes like tissue hydration, cell migration, and wound healing, as well as pathological conditions including cancer progression, fibrosis, and inflammation.
HAS2 antibodies, typically monoclonal or polyclonal, enable researchers to quantify HAS2 protein expression, localize it within cells or tissues (via techniques like immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence), and investigate its regulatory mechanisms. Dysregulation of HAS2 is linked to excessive HA production, which promotes tumor invasiveness, stromal remodeling, and immune evasion in cancers. In fibrosis, HAS2-driven HA accumulation exacerbates tissue stiffness and fibroblast activation.
These antibodies are also used to explore therapeutic strategies targeting HA synthesis, such as inhibiting HAS2 in disease models. Studies employing HAS2 antibodies have clarified its role in developmental biology, inflammation resolution, and metabolic disorders. Their specificity and reliability make them essential for understanding HA-mediated cellular communication and microenvironment dynamics.