**Background of SOX18 Antibody**
The SOX18 antibody is a research tool targeting the SOX18 protein, a member of the SOX (SRY-related HMG-box) transcription factor family. SOX18 belongs to the SOXF subgroup (SOX7. SOX17. SOX18) and plays critical roles in developmental processes, particularly in vascular and lymphatic endothelial cell regulation. It contains a conserved high-mobility group (HMG) domain that enables DNA binding and interaction with transcriptional co-regulators.
SOX18 is essential for blood and lymphatic vessel formation during embryogenesis. Mutations in *SOX18* are linked to human vascular disorders, such as hypotrichosis-lymphedema-telangiectasia syndrome, and its dysregulation is implicated in cancer progression, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. In tumors, SOX18 may promote angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, facilitating metastasis.
Antibodies against SOX18 are widely used in molecular biology to detect and quantify the protein via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). They help elucidate SOX18’s expression patterns, subcellular localization, and interactions in normal and diseased tissues. Commercial SOX18 antibodies are typically validated for specificity in human, mouse, or rat samples.
Research involving SOX18 antibodies contributes to understanding vascular development, tumor microenvironments, and regenerative medicine. Additionally, they hold potential for therapeutic targeting in diseases driven by aberrant vascular growth or lymphatic dysfunction. However, challenges remain in optimizing antibody specificity and reproducibility across experimental models.