CD8 Monoclonal Antibody (SP16), Invitrogen™

Description

Heat-mediated antigen retrieval is recommended prior to staining, using a 10mM citrate buffer, pH 6.0, for 10 minutes followed by cooling at room temperature for 20 min. Following antigen retrieval, incubate samples with primary antibody for 30 min at room temperature. A suggested positive control is tonsil tissue.

CD8 (Cluster of Differentiation 8) is a cell surface glycoprotein found on most cytotoxic T lymphocytes that mediate efficient cell-cell interactions within the immune system. The CD8 antigen acts as a co-receptor with the T-cell receptor on the T lymphocyte to recognize antigens displayed by an antigen presenting cell (APC) in the context of class I MHC molecules. CD8 is found on a T cell subset of normal cytotoxic/suppressor cells which make up approximately 20-35 % of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The CD8 antigen is also detected on natural killer (NK) cells, subpopulations of peripheral blood null cells, thymocytes and bone marrow cells. The CD8 co-receptor functions as either a homodimer composed of two alpha chains, or as a disulfide-linked heterodimer composed of one alpha and one beta chain. Both alpha and beta chains share significant homology to immunoglobulin variable light chains. The majority of CD8+ T cells express CD8 as a alpha/beta heterodimer. In HIV, the HIV-2 envelope glycoprotein binds CD8 alpha chain (but not the beta chain).