Anti Laminin Antibodies

Laminin is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 900 kDa. It consists of three chains-α, β, and γ-that assemble into a cross-shaped structure. Each chain has multiple isoforms, and laminin types are named based on the combination of isoforms (for example, laminin composed of α1/β1/γ1 is referred to as laminin-111).

Laminin is well-known as a key component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and plays an important role in cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. In particular, laminin, together with type IV collagen, is considered a major component of the basement membrane. In the central nervous system, laminin is almost exclusively expressed in the basement membranes surrounding blood vessels and is used as a marker for these vessels. Previous studies have shown that the inner (endothelial) layer of the basement membrane in blood vessels contains laminin-411 and -511, while the outer (parenchymal) layer contains laminin-211 and -111¹⁾. Laminin also plays a critical role in the formation and function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB).