Specificity:

Mouse Anti-Human CD8 (Clone UCHT-4) recognizes Human CD8. This monoclonal antibody was purified using multi-step affinity chromatography methods such as Protein A or G depending on the species and isotype. Anti-Human CD8 recognizes a T-cell glycoprotein cell surface complex (Mr 32 kDa)¹ which defines the cytotoxic/suppressor population of mature T-lymphocytes.² The CD8 complex interacts with class I MHC molecules resulting in increased adhesion between CD8+ T-lymphocytes and their target cells. Binding of the CD8 antigen to Class I MHC molecules enhances T-cell activation.³ The cytoplasmic portion of the CD8 antigen is associated with a protein tyrosine kinase (p56^lck).⁴

The CD8 antigen is expressed on approximately 19-48% of normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes and > 90% of normal thymocytes. It is also present on a subset of NK cells. Subjects infected with HIV have been shown to exhibit increased levels of CD8+ lymphocytes with a continual decrease in CD4+ lymphocytes.

Background:

Anti-CD8 may be used in studies of immunoregulation and T-lymphocyte mediated suppression, autoimmune disorders, immunodeficiency states and acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma.

Known Species Cross Reactivity: Hu+