Anti-Mouse MAdCAM-1 (MECA-89) – Purified in vivo GOLD^TM Functional Grade

Clone MECA-89 is a rat monoclonal antibody targeting mouse MAdCAM-1 (Mucosal Addressin Cell Adhesion Molecule-1), and it is specifically formulated and widely used in in vivo mouse studies to block or neutralize MAdCAM-1 function for research into immune cell trafficking, particularly in gut and mucosal immunity.

• Primary use: MECA-89 is administered to mice to inhibit the interaction of MAdCAM-1 with its receptor (?4?7 integrin), thus blocking lymphocyte homing to mucosal tissues, especially within the gastrointestinal tract and secondary lymphoid organs. This allows researchers to dissect the role of MAdCAM-1 in immune cell localization, inflammation, and disease pathogenesis.
• Common applications: It is frequently used in studies of inflammatory bowel disease, mucosal immunology, and gut-associated lymphoid tissue, and can help investigate mechanisms underlying colitis and other immune-mediated conditions.

Experimental Details

• Formulation: The antibody is typically provided in low endotoxin (often <1.0 EU/mg) and BSA/Azide-free buffers to reduce experimental confounders and ensure suitability for in vivo use.
• Isotype and host: Rat IgG2a kappa.
• Administration: MECA-89 is injected into mice (usual doses range from 5–100 mg per study, depending on experimental design), often via intraperitoneal or intravenous injection. Dosing schemes vary based on research protocol.
• Effect: In in vivo experiments, MECA-89 binding to MAdCAM-1 modulates lymphocyte trafficking, thus impacting the immune environment in targeted tissues such as the intestine and lymph nodes.

Additional Considerations

• Specificity: MECA-89 is selective for mouse MAdCAM-1 and does not cross-react with other species.
• Quality: Suppliers, such as IchorBio and Leinco, ensure high purity (>95%) and low aggregation (<5%) for reliable in vivo application.

MECA-89 is a standard research tool for investigating the physiological and pathological functions of MAdCAM-1 in live mouse models. If you need precise dosing regimens or specific experimental designs, these are typically detailed in primary research articles using MECA-89; suppliers provide product-specific technical data sheets for reference.

The correct storage temperature for a sterile packaged Anti-Mouse MAdCAM-1 (MECA-89) antibody varies based on the storage duration:

1. Short-term storage (up to one week or one month depending on the source): The antibody can be stored sterile at 2-8°C.

2. Long-term storage: For longer-term storage, the antibody should be aseptically aliquoted in working volumes without dilution and stored at -20°C or ? -70°C. Some sources recommend a storage temperature of -10°C as well. It's crucial to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

It's important to consult the specific datasheet provided with the product for the most accurate and detailed storage instructions.

MECA-89 is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the mucosal vascular addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1). While MECA-89 is primarily used for studying MAdCAM-1's role in immune responses, especially in the context of lymphocyte homing and inflammation, other commonly used antibodies or proteins in similar research contexts might include those targeting related adhesion molecules or signaling pathways involved in immune cell migration and interaction. Here are a few examples:

1. Anti-CD20 Antibodies: These are commonly used in research related to B cell development and function, and have been conjugated with other molecules for therapeutic applications, such as Rituximab.

2. Anti-ICAM-1 (CD54) and Anti-VCAM-1 (CD106) Antibodies: These target other adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte adhesion and migration across endothelial surfaces, processes that are closely related to MAdCAM-1's function.

3. Anti-Selectin Antibodies (e.g., CD62L, CD62E, CD62P): These are important in the initial steps of leukocyte adhesion to endothelial surfaces, complementary to the functions of MAdCAM-1.

4. Integrin Antibodies (e.g., ?4?7 Integrin): The ?4?7 integrin is the primary ligand for MAdCAM-1, and antibodies targeting this integrin are often used to study interactions between these molecules.

These antibodies and proteins are used in a variety of applications, including flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and in vivo studies, to understand the intricate mechanisms of immune cell trafficking and adhesion.

Key findings from citations on clone MECA-89 in scientific literature focus on the organization, dissemination, and genetic context of the mecA gene in Staphylococcus aureus, especially within dominant MRSA lineages and high-risk pandemic clones.

• Dissemination of mecA Across S. aureus Clones:

  • The mecA gene—conferring methicillin resistance—is carried by about 95% of MRSA isolates and is found within the SCCmec resistance island, a mobile genetic element.
  • mecA is present in representatives of nearly all major S. aureus lineages except types IX and X, indicating widespread dissemination among hospital and community strains worldwide.
  • Notably, specific pandemic MRSA clones such as the Iberian, Brazilian, North German, Hannover, and Portuguese clones all cluster under the type I lineage and harbor the mecA gene.
  • Some mecA-negative MSSA clones share ribotypes with corresponding mecA-positive MRSA counterparts, differing only by the presence of the mecA-carrying element, indicating that MSSA strains can act as reservoirs for mecA acquisition.

• Genetic Organization and Cloning of mecA Regions:

  • Detailed mapping of the downstream region of mecA in the Iberian MRSA clone has utilized plasmid and phage cloning to sequence and annotate the genetic neighborhood surrounding mecA.
  • Cloning approaches (using vectors like pACYC177, pGEM-3Z, and ? phage constructs) have enabled the characterization of over 15 kb downstream of mecA, identifying sequences crucial for understanding resistance island architecture in dominant clones.

• Clinical Impact of mecA-Carrying Clones:

  • Emerging clones such as MRSA ST764-SCCmecII exhibit high mortality rates and demonstrate distinct genomic evolution within the core clonal complexes (CC1, CC8, CC5).
  • In neonatal septicemia, CONS strains with high mecA carriage are frequent, likely reflecting antibiotic selection pressures in hospital environments.

• Comparative Genotyping Methods:

  • Techniques like PFGE (pulse-field gel electrophoresis) and ribotyping have been used to establish clonal relationships, with mecA insertion causing specific band shifts in PFGE profiles that demarcate resistant lineages.
  • Automated ribotyping coupled with international databases allows rapid tracking of lineage dissemination across regions.

These findings collectively demonstrate that clone MECA-89 is commonly studied in the context of major MRSA lineages, with research emphasizing the molecular epidemiology, genetic neighborhood, and global spread of mecA-carrying clones in clinical settings.