FAS Antibody (CD95)

The FAS antibody, also known as CD95 or APO-1, is a monoclonal antibody that targets the FAS receptor, a crucial component in the regulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis). This antibody is derived from mouse and is specifically designed to react with human FAS receptors.

The FAS receptor is a 45 kDa single-chain type I glycoprotein that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily . It is expressed on various cell types, including T and B lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and fibroblasts . The primary function of the FAS receptor is to mediate apoptosis, which is essential for maintaining immune system homeostasis and eliminating harmful or unnecessary cells.

The FAS receptor binds to its ligand, FAS ligand (FASL or CD178), which triggers a cascade of intracellular signaling events leading to apoptosis . This interaction is vital for the regulation of immune responses and the prevention of autoimmune diseases. The binding of FASL to the FAS receptor results in the formation of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), which activates caspases, the enzymes responsible for executing apoptosis.

The FAS antibody has several applications in scientific research and clinical diagnostics:

1. Flow Cytometry: Used to detect and quantify FAS expression on the surface of cells .
2. Western Blot: Employed to identify FAS protein levels in cell lysates .
3. Immunohistochemistry: Utilized to visualize FAS expression in tissue sections .
4. ELISA: Applied in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure soluble FAS levels in biological samples .
5. Immunocytochemistry: Used to study the localization of FAS within cells .

The FAS antibody is produced by hybridoma technology, where mouse myeloma cells are fused with spleen cells from immunized mice . The resulting hybridoma cells are cultured, and the antibody is purified from the culture supernatant using affinity chromatography . The antibody is then formulated in a phosphate-buffered solution containing sodium azide and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to ensure stability and prevent microbial contamination .

The FAS antibody should be stored undiluted at temperatures between 2°C and 8°C and protected from prolonged exposure to light . It is important not to freeze the antibody, as this can affect its stability and functionality .