The NELL1 (Neural Epidermal Growth Factor-like 1) antibody is a tool used to study the NELL1 protein, a secreted glycoprotein critical in regulating cell differentiation, proliferation, and tissue development, particularly in skeletal and nervous systems. NELL1 contains epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains and is implicated in osteogenic differentiation, bone regeneration, and craniofacial development. Dysregulation of NELL1 is linked to skeletal disorders like craniosynostosis, osteoporosis, and spinal fusion anomalies, as well as cancers such as osteosarcoma and breast cancer.
NELL1 antibodies, often monoclonal or polyclonal, enable detection of NELL1 expression in tissues (e.g., via Western blot, immunohistochemistry) and help elucidate its role in signaling pathways, including interactions with integrins and Wnt/β-catenin. Research highlights NELL1's therapeutic potential; for example, NELL1-based therapies promote bone repair, while antibodies may inhibit tumor progression by targeting NELL1-associated pathways. These antibodies also aid in studying cross-species conservation, as NELL1 is expressed in humans, mice, and rats.
Recent studies explore NELL1 antibodies as delivery vehicles for bone-targeting drugs or biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Their utility spans developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and oncology, underscoring NELL1's multifaceted role in health and disease.