The LAMA2 antibody targets the laminin alpha-2 chain, a critical component of the extracellular matrix protein laminin-211 (also known as merosin). Encoded by the *LAMA2* gene, this subunit is predominantly expressed in the basement membranes of skeletal muscle, Schwann cells, and the brain. Laminin-211 plays a vital role in tissue integrity, cell adhesion, and signaling, particularly during muscle development and nerve myelination. Mutations in *LAMA2* are linked to congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A), a severe autosomal recessive disorder characterized by muscle weakness, respiratory complications, and delayed motor function.
LAMA2 antibodies are essential tools in research and diagnostics, enabling the detection of laminin alpha-2 deficiency in patient biopsies via immunohistochemistry or Western blot. These antibodies help confirm MDC1A diagnoses and differentiate them from other muscular dystrophies. In preclinical studies, they aid in evaluating therapeutic strategies, such as gene therapy or laminin supplementation, to restore functional protein expression. Commercially available LAMA2 antibodies are typically monoclonal or polyclonal, validated for specificity across human, mouse, and rat models. Ongoing research continues to explore laminin-211's role in neuromuscular pathology and its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target.