Lysyl oxidase-like 4 (LOXL4) is a member of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family, which comprises copper-dependent enzymes critical for extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. These enzymes catalyze the crosslinking of collagen and elastin by oxidizing lysine residues, thereby maintaining tissue integrity and biomechanical properties. Unlike other LOX family members (LOX, LOXL1-3), LOXL4 exhibits distinct structural features, including a unique propeptide region, and is implicated in both physiological processes and pathological conditions. It is expressed in various tissues, with roles in development, wound healing, and angiogenesis.
LOXL4 has gained attention for its dual role in cancer progression. While it can suppress primary tumor growth by modulating ECM stiffness and cell adhesion, it also promotes metastasis by enhancing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and facilitating tumor cell invasion. Dysregulated LOXL4 expression is associated with cancers (e.g., breast, gastric, colorectal) and fibrotic diseases. Its involvement in immune evasion through ECM-mediated T-cell suppression further highlights therapeutic relevance.
LOXL4 antibodies are essential tools for detecting protein expression, localization, and functional studies. They enable investigations into LOXL4's molecular mechanisms, including its interaction with signaling pathways (e.g., TGF-β, HIF-1α) and ECM components. Researchers utilize these antibodies in techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to explore LOXL4's diagnostic potential and validate its role as a therapeutic target. Inhibiting LOXL4 with monoclonal antibodies or small molecules is being explored to counteract metastasis and fibrosis, though challenges in specificity and tissue selectivity remain.