CD44 Antibody, FITC
Product Science Overview
CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein involved in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion, and migration. It is widely expressed on various cell types, including hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells. CD44 plays a crucial role in a variety of cellular functions, such as:
- Lymphocyte activation
- Recirculation and homing
- Hematopoiesis
- Tumor metastasis
The principal ligand for CD44 is hyaluronate, a common component of the extracellular matrix. CD44’s interaction with hyaluronate is essential for maintaining tissue structure and facilitating cell movement.
The Rat Anti-Mouse CD44 antibody specifically recognizes an epitope on both alloantigens and all isoforms of the CD44 glycoprotein. The standard form of CD44, known as CD44H or CD44s, lacks variable exons and is widely expressed. CD44 isoforms encoded by variable exons are expressed on epithelial cells but are present at low levels on most leukocytes .
Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) is a fluorochrome used to label antibodies, making them detectable under specific wavelengths of light. The conjugation of FITC to the Rat Anti-Mouse CD44 antibody allows researchers to:
- Visualize CD44 expression on cells using flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy.
- Quantify the level of CD44 expression on different cell populations.
- Sort cells based on CD44 expression levels.
The Rat Anti-Mouse CD44, FITC antibody is widely used in immunological research, particularly in studies involving:
- Flow cytometric analysis of CD44 expression on bone marrow cells.
- Investigating the role of CD44 in various physiological and pathological processes, including immune responses and cancer metastasis.
- Characterizing cell populations in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues.
