Neuropilin-2 (NRP2) is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the neuropilin family, initially identified as a receptor for class 3 semaphorins involved in neuronal guidance. It also functions as a co-receptor for vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), playing roles in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and cellular signaling. NRP2 antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and interaction networks in both physiological and pathological contexts. Structurally, NRP2 contains extracellular domains (a1/a2. b1/b2) that bind ligands and a cytoplasmic domain mediating intracellular signaling. Antibodies targeting specific epitopes (e.g., extracellular domains) enable detection via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, or flow cytometry.
Research highlights NRP2's involvement in cancer progression, where it promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and immune evasion by modulating pathways like VEGF/VEGFR and TGF-β. Elevated NRP2 expression correlates with poor prognosis in cancers such as breast, pancreatic, and melanoma. Antibodies blocking NRP2-ligand interactions are explored for therapeutic potential, including anti-angiogenic strategies or immune checkpoint modulation. Additionally, NRP2 antibodies aid in studying neurodevelopmental processes, immune regulation (e.g., T-cell activation), and lymphatic disorders. Despite progress, challenges remain in understanding isoform-specific functions and optimizing antibody specificity for clinical applications.