Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is a member of the lysyl oxidase family, enzymes critical for modifying the extracellular matrix (ECM) by catalyzing cross-linking of collagen and elastin. LOXL2 is involved in ECM remodeling, cell adhesion, and tissue homeostasis, with emerging roles in fibrosis, cancer metastasis, and angiogenesis. Its dysregulation has been linked to pathological conditions, including liver and lung fibrosis, as well as tumor progression in cancers like breast, colorectal, and squamous cell carcinomas.
LOXL2 antibodies are tools used to detect and study the expression, localization, and function of LOXL2 in research and diagnostic contexts. They are essential for immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting (WB), and immunofluorescence (IF) to assess LOXL2 levels in tissues or cell lines, often correlating its overexpression with disease severity or metastatic potential. Therapeutic LOXL2-targeting antibodies (e.g., AB0023. PXS-5332) are under investigation to inhibit enzymatic activity or disrupt LOXL2-mediated ECM stiffening, aiming to block cancer progression or fibrotic processes.
Challenges in antibody development include ensuring specificity due to structural homology among LOXL family members and addressing post-translational modifications that may affect LOXL2 detection. Validated LOXL2 antibodies are crucial for understanding its dual roles in tissue repair and disease, highlighting its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target in fibrosis and oncology.