CD8 Antibody, FITC

CD8 (Cluster of Differentiation 8) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that serves as a co-receptor for the T-cell receptor (TCR). It plays a crucial role in T cell signaling and aids in cytotoxic T cell-antigen interactions . CD8 is predominantly expressed on the surface of cytotoxic T cells, but it can also be found on natural killer cells, cortical thymocytes, and dendritic cells . The CD8 molecule is a marker for the cytotoxic T cell population and is involved in recognizing antigens presented by MHC class I molecules .

Mouse anti-human antibodies are monoclonal antibodies produced in mice that are specific to human antigens. These antibodies are widely used in research and clinical diagnostics due to their specificity and ability to bind to human proteins . However, one challenge with using mouse-derived antibodies in humans is the potential for the human immune system to recognize these antibodies as foreign, leading to the production of human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) . This response can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment and cause adverse reactions .

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) is a derivative of fluorescein used in various applications, including flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy . FITC is reactive towards nucleophiles, such as amine and sulfhydryl groups on proteins, allowing it to be used as a fluorescent label . It has excitation and emission spectrum peak wavelengths of approximately 495 nm and 519 nm, respectively, giving it a green color . FITC is prone to photobleaching, which can be a limitation in some experiments .

The combination of CD8, Mouse Anti-Human, FITC refers to a monoclonal antibody specific to the human CD8 protein, produced in mice, and conjugated with FITC for fluorescence detection. This reagent is commonly used in immunofluorescence assays, flow cytometry, and other applications where the detection and quantification of CD8+ T cells are required. The FITC conjugation allows for the visualization of CD8+ cells under a fluorescence microscope or the quantification of these cells using flow cytometry .

In summary, CD8, Mouse Anti-Human, FITC is a valuable tool in immunological research and clinical diagnostics, enabling the study of cytotoxic T cells and their role in the immune response.