CD8 Antibody, FITC
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
CD8, Rat Anti-Mouse, FITC is a monoclonal antibody used extensively in immunological research. This antibody is specific to the CD8 alpha (CD8a) chain, a glycoprotein found on the surface of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, thymocytes, and a subset of natural killer (NK) cells. The antibody is conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), a fluorescent dye that allows for the visualization and quantification of CD8a expression through techniques such as flow cytometry and immunofluorescence.
The CD8 molecule, also known as Lyt-2, Ly-2, or T8, consists of disulfide-linked alpha (CD8a) and beta (CD8b) chains that form either an alpha/beta heterodimer or an alpha/alpha homodimer . The CD8a chain is a 34 kDa protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. CD8 is primarily expressed on the surface of most thymocytes and a subset of mature TCR alpha/beta T cells . The CD8 alpha/alpha homodimer is also found on a subset of gamma/delta TCR-bearing T cells, NK cells, intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes, and lymphoid dendritic cells .
CD8 serves as a co-receptor for the T-cell receptor (TCR) and interacts with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on antigen-presenting cells or epithelial cells . This interaction is crucial for the activation and function of cytotoxic T cells, which play a vital role in the immune response by targeting and destroying infected or malignant cells. CD8 promotes T cell activation through its association with the TCR complex and protein tyrosine kinase Lck .
Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) is a widely used fluorescent dye for labeling antibodies. FITC emits green fluorescence when excited by blue light (488 nm), making it suitable for flow cytometry and other fluorescence-based assays . The conjugation of FITC to the CD8 antibody allows researchers to detect and quantify CD8 expression on the surface of cells, facilitating the study of T cell populations and their roles in various immune responses.
The CD8, Rat Anti-Mouse, FITC antibody is commonly used in various immunological assays, including:
- Flow Cytometry: For the identification and quantification of CD8+ T cells in a mixed cell population .
- Immunofluorescence: For the visualization of CD8+ cells in tissue sections or cell cultures .
- Cell Depletion: For the selective depletion of CD8+ cells in vivo or in vitro .
- Blocking Studies: To investigate the role of CD8 in T cell activation and function .
