The LHFPL2 antibody is a polyclonal, affinity-isolated antibody derived from rabbits, designed to detect human LHFPL2 protein in research and diagnostic applications . It binds to an immunogen sequence (PAGWGCQKAIDYCGHYASAYKPGDC) within the LHFPL2 protein and is validated for techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) .
Mouse Studies: LHFPL2 mutations (e.g., G102E) cause infertility in female mice due to vaginal abnormalities, despite normal ovarian and uterine function .
Expression: LHFPL2 is highly expressed in reproductive tissues (ovary, uterus, vagina) and regulates structural development .
Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC): Elevated LHFPL2 correlates with advanced tumor stages (T4, M1, N1), poor survival, and increased M2 macrophage polarization, which promotes immune evasion and angiogenesis .
Therapeutic Potential: LHFPL2 is a biomarker for M2 macrophage activity and a candidate target for drugs like conivaptan and nilotinib .
Immune Infiltration: High LHFPL2 expression in RCC is linked to elevated M2 macrophage infiltration (ρ = 0.62, p < 0.001) and reduced NK cell activity .
Single-Cell Analysis: LHFPL2 is specifically expressed in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), particularly in subclusters with high M2 polarization scores .
KEGG: dre:402962
UniGene: Dr.14573
LHFPL2 (Lipoma HMGIC Fusion Partner-Like 2) is a protein encoded by the LHFPL2 gene (also known as KIAA0206). The protein is involved in developmental processes and has been implicated in various cellular functions. While its exact biological role is still being investigated, LHFPL2 antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression patterns and functional characteristics in different tissues and experimental systems .
Understanding LHFPL2's function requires utilizing specific antibodies targeting different regions of the protein. Currently available antibodies target different amino acid sequences, primarily the C-terminal region (AA 196-223) and mid-region (AA 30-100) of the human LHFPL2 protein . These antibodies enable researchers to detect LHFPL2 expression and localization in various experimental systems.
LHFPL2 antibodies have been validated for multiple applications, though performance may vary depending on the specific antibody:
When selecting an antibody for your specific application, consider the epitope targeted and validation data available through resources like The Human Protein Atlas, which provides extensive characterization for antibodies like HPA042402 and HPA076743 .
Antibody validation is critical for ensuring experimental reproducibility, especially when working with LHFPL2. Following established validation protocols:
Specificity testing: Verify that the antibody recognizes only LHFPL2 and not related proteins by performing:
Cross-reactivity assessment: If working with non-human samples, test whether the antibody reacts with the orthologous protein. Currently available LHFPL2 antibodies show reactivity to human and some (like ABIN1909757) to hamster proteins .
Application-specific validation: Each application requires specific validation approaches:
Reproducibility testing: Ensure consistent results across multiple lots and experiments to establish reliability .
These validation steps align with recommendations from the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry, emphasizing the importance of validation for experimental reproducibility .
Epitope selection significantly impacts antibody performance and experimental outcomes. For LHFPL2 specifically:
Structural considerations: Available LHFPL2 antibodies target different regions:
C-terminal region antibodies (AA 196-223): Typically provide good specificity as C-terminal regions often contain unique sequences
Mid-region antibodies (AA 30-100): Target a sequence that includes "SADWLIGKAR SRGGVEPAGP GGGSPEPYHP TLGIYARCIR NPGVQHFQRD TLCGPYAESF GEIASGFWQA T"
Accessibility factors: The effectiveness of an antibody depends on epitope accessibility in your experimental system. Consider:
For native/folded protein detection (immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry): Surface-exposed epitopes are preferred
For denatured protein detection (Western blot): Internal epitopes may be equally effective
Post-translational modifications near your epitope may interfere with antibody binding
Cross-reactivity considerations: The evolutionary conservation of your target epitope determines species cross-reactivity. Currently available antibodies show reactivity primarily to human LHFPL2, with some also recognizing hamster orthologs .
When designing experiments requiring precise epitope targeting, consider using multiple antibodies recognizing different regions of LHFPL2 to validate findings across independent reagents.
Detecting low-abundance LHFPL2 requires optimized protocols:
Increase protein loading (50-100 μg total protein)
Use signal amplification systems like biotin-streptavidin or tyramide
Consider LHFPL2 antibodies conjugated to high-sensitivity tags like HRP
Extend primary antibody incubation time (overnight at 4°C)
Test various antigen retrieval methods
Implement signal amplification systems
Use high-sensitivity detection systems
Optimize antibody concentration through careful titration
Consider APC or FITC-conjugated antibodies for fluorescence applications
Implement more stringent washing protocols
Use alternative blocking agents (BSA, normal serum, commercial blockers)
Pre-adsorb antibodies with tissues/cells lacking the target
Include appropriate negative controls (isotype controls, secondary-only controls)
For extremely low abundance targets, consider using Tyramide Signal Amplification (TSA) or Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) techniques to dramatically increase detection sensitivity.
For effective multi-parametric flow cytometry with LHFPL2 antibodies:
Select LHFPL2 antibody conjugates compatible with your instrument configuration
Consider brightness hierarchy when assigning fluorophores (assign brighter fluorophores to less abundant targets)
Implement proper compensation controls for each fluorophore
Include FMO (Fluorescence Minus One) controls to identify LHFPL2-specific signals
Carefully titrate LHFPL2 antibodies to determine optimal concentration
Test fixation/permeabilization methods if LHFPL2 detection requires intracellular staining
Consider sequential staining approaches for complex panels
Implement live/dead discrimination to eliminate false positives
Apply proper gating strategies based on controls
Consider dimensionality reduction techniques (tSNE, UMAP) for complex datasets
Validate flow cytometry findings with orthogonal methods like Western blotting
Validation approach: Following recommendations from the International Society for Advancement of Cytometry, perform specificity testing with appropriate positive and negative controls before implementing LHFPL2 antibodies in complex panels .
Recent advances in computational modeling offer opportunities for enhancing LHFPL2 antibody design and application:
Identify distinct binding modes associated with specific ligands
Disentangle binding modes even when ligands are chemically similar
Predict antibody behavior beyond experimentally observed variants
Train models on experimentally selected antibody datasets
Associate potential ligands with distinct binding modes
Use the model to predict and generate antibody variants with desired specificity profiles
Perform phage display experiments with LHFPL2 selection
Apply high-throughput sequencing of selected antibodies
Implement biophysics-informed computational models
Design novel antibodies with enhanced specificity profiles
This approach has demonstrated success in designing antibodies with both specific and cross-specific binding properties and in mitigating experimental artifacts in selection experiments . Similar approaches could potentially enhance LHFPL2 antibody specificity or enable the design of antibodies recognizing specific LHFPL2 isoforms or homologs.
Understanding antibody-antigen binding interfaces is crucial for optimizing LHFPL2 detection:
Paratope composition: Typically involves ~15.6 ± 4.7 residues, with ~67% belonging to heavy chains
Epitope characteristics: Most epitopes are conformational, comprising 3-8 sequential patches
Interaction types: Hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions dominate binding interfaces
Consider the nature of your epitope (conformational vs. linear)
For conformational epitopes, native protein structure preservation is crucial
Account for the accessibility of the epitope in your specific experimental format
Consider whether post-translational modifications might affect binding
Implement careful antibody titration to determine optimal concentrations
Test multiple buffer conditions to optimize binding
Consider alternative fixation methods for immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence
For detecting LHFPL2 in complex with other proteins, evaluate epitope accessibility
Advanced structural understanding of antibody-antigen interfaces enables more predictable and reproducible results when working with LHFPL2 antibodies across experimental systems.
Contradictory results between different LHFPL2 antibodies can occur due to several factors:
Epitope differences: Antibodies targeting different regions (AA 30-100 vs. AA 196-223) may yield different results if:
Technical differences:
Biological differences:
Consider potential isoforms of LHFPL2 with different epitope presence
Evaluate species differences if working across different model systems
Assess potential degradation products that might be detected differently
Test multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes in parallel
Implement additional validation methods (e.g., siRNA knockdown, overexpression)
Consider orthogonal detection methods beyond antibody-based techniques
If divergence persists, report all results transparently with appropriate controls
Understanding the nature of contradictions can provide valuable biological insights rather than simply representing technical failures.
For researchers using LHFPL2 antibodies in transplantation contexts, understanding UAM algorithms is critical:
Select algorithms based on your specific research context
Consider the trade-off between sensitivity and donor pool restrictions
Calculate virtual panel reactive antibody (vPRA) to understand the impact on donor availability
Monitor glomerular filtration rate even in the absence of overt antibody-mediated rejection
When applying LHFPL2 antibodies in transplantation research, maintaining consistent algorithm application across studies enables better comparison of results across different research groups.
High-throughput screening with LHFPL2 antibodies requires careful experimental design:
Microarray-based approaches:
Evaluate different surface chemistries for optimal antibody immobilization
Consider oriented capture strategies using protein A/G or streptavidin-biotin systems
Implement appropriate blocking strategies to minimize background
Include multiple controls per plate to monitor assay performance
Flow cytometry-based screening:
High-content imaging:
Optimize cell density for automated image analysis
Implement nuclear counterstaining for cell identification
Develop robust image analysis algorithms for LHFPL2 quantification
Include reference standards on each plate
Include standard curves on each plate/run
Implement Z-factor calculations to monitor assay quality
Include technical and biological replicates
Develop standard operating procedures for consistent execution
Consider randomization strategies to minimize batch effects
High-throughput approaches require rigorous validation before implementation but can significantly accelerate LHFPL2 research across diverse experimental contexts.
Emerging technologies promise to enhance LHFPL2 antibody performance:
Single-domain antibodies (nanobodies):
Smaller size enables access to sterically hindered epitopes
Enhanced tissue penetration for imaging applications
Potential for improved binding to conformational epitopes
Bispecific antibodies:
Simultaneous targeting of LHFPL2 and interaction partners
Enhanced specificity through dual epitope recognition
Potential for novel detection strategies
Computationally designed antibodies:
Validate novel antibody formats against conventional antibodies
Consider application-specific requirements when selecting formats
Develop standardized validation protocols for novel antibody types
Implement appropriate controls for new antibody formats
As these technologies mature, they offer opportunities to overcome current limitations in LHFPL2 detection and characterization, potentially enabling new research directions previously limited by antibody performance.
Standardization of LHFPL2 antibody validation would significantly enhance research reproducibility:
Minimum information standards:
Validation hierarchy:
Community resources:
Development of reference standards for LHFPL2 detection
Creation of common validation datasets
Establishment of evaluation metrics for antibody performance
Implementation of validation databases specific to LHFPL2 antibodies
Adoption of existing guidelines from organizations like ISAC
Development of LHFPL2-specific benchmarking protocols
Collaborative validation efforts across research groups
Standardization efforts would enable more reliable comparison of results across studies and accelerate progress in understanding LHFPL2 function and applications.