VIP2 Antibody

Introduction to VIP2 Antibody

The VIP2 Antibody is a specialized immunological tool designed to target Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Receptor Type 2 (VPAC2 or VIPR2), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) critical for mediating cellular responses to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). VIP is a neuropeptide with immunomodulatory functions, influencing innate and adaptive immunity by promoting anti-inflammatory pathways and regulatory T-cell responses . The VIP2 Antibody enables researchers to study VPAC2 expression, localization, and function in experimental models, offering insights into inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and circadian rhythm regulation .

Development and Validation of VIP2 Antibodies

VIP2 Antibodies are rigorously validated for specificity and functionality across diverse applications:

Key Validation Methods

• Western Blot: Detects VPAC2 at ~140 kDa in human cell lines (e.g., HeLa, K562) .

• Immunohistochemistry (IHC): Localizes VPAC2 in tissues such as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of mice, with knockout controls (Vipr2−/− mice) confirming specificity .

• Immunoprecipitation (IP): Used to isolate VPAC2 from lysates, as demonstrated in HeLa cells .

Critical Controls:

• Pre-adsorption with VIP eliminates staining, confirming target specificity .

• Cross-reactivity assessments ensure no binding to unrelated GPCRs .

Immune Regulation

VIP2 Antibodies have elucidated VPAC2’s role in modulating dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and T-cell polarization. For example:

• Tolerogenic DCs: VIP2 signaling induces IL-10/TGF-β-producing regulatory T cells (Tregs), suppressing inflammatory responses .

• Th1/Th2 Balance: VIP2 Antibody studies show VIP promotes Th2 responses while inhibiting proinflammatory Th1 cytokines like IFN-γ .

Disease Models

• Arthritis: In K/BxN mice, VIP2 Antibody-based assays revealed reduced Th1 transcription factor Tbet and increased Th17 markers, correlating with altered IgG isotypes .

• Infection Dynamics: VIP2 inhibition in macrophages increases Salmonella survival, highlighting risks of immunosuppressive therapies .

Technical Considerations and Challenges

• Concentration Optimization: Antibody performance varies by application (e.g., 1:15,000 for IHC vs. 1:1,000 for immunofluorescence) .

• Species Specificity: While many antibodies cross-react with human, mouse, and rat VPAC2, others (e.g., ab183527) are human-specific .

• Batch Consistency: Supplier-dependent variability necessitates validation with positive/negative controls .