CD4 FITC Antibody
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
The CD4 antigen is a 59 kDa single-chain transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a crucial role in the immune system. It is primarily expressed on T-helper cells, which are essential for the adaptive immune response. CD4 acts as a co-receptor in the recognition of antigens presented by MHC class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells. This interaction is vital for the activation and proliferation of T-helper cells, which in turn help activate other immune cells, such as B cells and cytotoxic T cells .
Additionally, CD4 serves as a receptor for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The virus binds to the CD4 molecule on the surface of T-helper cells, allowing it to enter and infect these cells. This interaction is a key factor in the pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS .
Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) is a fluorescent dye that is commonly used to label antibodies for flow cytometry and other fluorescence-based assays. When conjugated to an antibody, FITC allows for the visualization and quantification of specific cell populations based on the presence of the target antigen. FITC emits green fluorescence when excited by a specific wavelength of light, making it a valuable tool for multi-color flow cytometry experiments .
The mouse anti-human CD4 antibody is a monoclonal antibody produced by immunizing mice with human CD4 antigen. The antibody is then harvested from the mouse’s immune system and purified for use in research applications. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, as they are derived from a single clone of B cells and recognize a single epitope on the target antigen .
CD4-FITC, Mouse Anti-Human is primarily used in flow cytometry to identify and quantify CD4+ T cells in various samples, including peripheral blood, lymphoid tissues, and cultured cells. This antibody is also used in immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry to visualize CD4+ cells in tissue sections and cell preparations .
In flow cytometry, cells are labeled with the CD4-FITC antibody and passed through a laser beam. The FITC fluorescence emitted by the labeled cells is detected and measured, allowing researchers to determine the proportion of CD4+ cells in the sample. This technique is widely used in immunological research, clinical diagnostics, and monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients .
