The CD82 antibody targets CD82 (KAI1), a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the tetraspanin superfamily. First identified in 1989, CD82 plays pivotal roles in cell adhesion, immune regulation, and tumor metastasis suppression. It is expressed on lymphocytes, hematopoietic progenitor cells, and certain tumor cells, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts . This antibody is critical for diagnostic assays, therapeutic interventions, and research applications.
CD82 exists as a disulfide-linked homodimer, with four transmembrane domains and cytoplasmic tails . Its primary functions include:
Cell Adhesion: Mediates integrin-dependent adhesion to fibronectin via VLA-4 in hematopoietic cells .
Tumor Suppression: Acts as a metastasis suppressor in prostate cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma .
Immune Modulation: Co-stimulates T-cell activation, enhancing cytokine production (IFN-γ, TNF-α) and cytotoxicity .
AML Targeting: Monoclonal CD82 antibodies mobilize leukemia cells from bone marrow, enhancing chemotherapy efficacy. A combination of cytarabine (AraC) and CD82 mAb prolonged survival in murine AML models .
Targeted Radiotherapy: A human-rat chimeric CD82 antibody conjugated with α-particle-emitting Astatine-211 achieved tumor eradication in AML xenografts .
Flow Cytometry: Widely used to detect CD82 on peripheral blood lymphocytes and tumor cells .
Immunohistochemistry: Identifies CD82 expression in placental trophoblasts and metastatic tissues .
CD82 is a member of the tetraspanin superfamily of proteins with a molecular mass of approximately 29.6 kilodaltons, although it typically migrates at 34-50 kDa in gel electrophoresis due to post-translational modifications like glycosylation . Originally identified as an accessory molecule in T-cell activation, its most well-characterized function is mediating integrin-dependent cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components . CD82 also functions as a metastasis suppressor in various cancers, regulates MMP9 activity, and plays crucial roles in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell interactions with the bone marrow microenvironment . It represents an important target for understanding cancer metastasis, leukemia pathophysiology, and cellular adhesion mechanisms.
CD82 antibodies are employed across multiple experimental techniques in research settings:
Western blotting for protein expression analysis and molecular weight determination
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitative protein detection
Flow cytometry for cell surface expression analysis and cell sorting
Functional studies investigating cell adhesion, migration, and invasion
In vivo applications such as mobilization of leukemic cells in animal models
The choice of application should dictate antibody selection, as different epitope recognition patterns exist among various commercial antibodies .
CD82 demonstrates distinct expression patterns across different tissues and cell types:
This diverse expression pattern highlights CD82's tissue-specific roles and suggests careful consideration when interpreting experimental results from different tissue sources.
The epitope recognition pattern of CD82 antibodies critically influences experimental results and interpretations . Research has demonstrated that antibodies recognizing different epitopes can detect distinct forms of CD82:
Antibodies targeting the large extracellular loop (amino acids 17-82 and 84-242), such as TS82b, can detect both standard (75-100 kDa) and truncated (37-50 kDa) forms of CD82
Antibodies targeting the C-terminus (amino acid 250 to C-terminus), like Abcam ab66400, only detect the standard form but not the truncated variant lacking an intact C-terminus
This distinction is biologically significant as truncated CD82 forms have been associated with invasive metastasis and poor clinical outcomes . Researchers should carefully select antibodies based on the specific CD82 domains they wish to investigate and validate detection of the appropriate isoforms in their experimental system.
The discrepancy between CD82's predicted molecular weight (29-30 kDa) and its observed migration pattern (34-100 kDa) in Western blotting results from several factors :
Post-translational modifications: CD82 contains multiple glycosylation sites that significantly increase its apparent molecular weight
Protein isoforms: Full-length versus truncated variants of CD82 migrate at different molecular weights (75-100 kDa versus 37-50 kDa)
Sample preparation conditions: Reducing versus non-reducing conditions affect migration patterns
Tissue-specific modifications: CD82 from different tissues may undergo distinct post-translational modifications
For accurate interpretation, researchers should:
Include deglycosylation treatments (such as PNGase F) to assess contribution of glycosylation
Use multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes to distinguish between isoforms
Compare migration patterns across multiple tissue types to understand tissue-specific variations
Include appropriate positive and negative controls from validated sources
CD82 functional studies have yielded seemingly contradictory results across different experimental systems, requiring careful methodological considerations for resolution :
Cellular context sensitivity: CD82 functions differently in hematopoietic cells versus epithelial cells; for example, it enhances adhesion in acute myelogenous leukemia cells while potentially suppressing adhesion in certain carcinoma cells
Isoform-specific effects: Truncated versus full-length CD82 exhibit divergent functions, with truncated forms potentially lacking metastasis suppressor activity
Molecular interaction network variations: CD82 regulates S100 family proteins in certain contexts but may not in others
Antibody selection impacts: Different antibodies targeting distinct epitopes may neutralize specific functions while sparing others
To reconcile contradictory findings, researchers should:
Explicitly define the cellular context of their experiments
Characterize the specific CD82 isoforms present in their experimental system
Employ multiple complementary techniques (genetic manipulation and antibody-based approaches)
Generating effective CD82 knockout models requires careful methodological consideration :
CRISPR/Cas9 approach: Offers precise gene editing but requires specific guide RNA design targeting conserved CD82 exons across potential isoforms
Flow cytometry-based sorting: While convenient for isolating CD82-negative populations, this method (as noted in research) may result in mixed populations with varying degrees of CD82 expression
Single-cell clone isolation: Essential for establishing homogeneous CD82-knockout cell lines with consistent phenotypes; research has demonstrated more pronounced effects in single-cell derived CD82-knockout lines compared to mixed populations
Validation requirements:
Confirm knockout at both protein level (using multiple antibodies targeting different epitopes) and mRNA level (RT-PCR)
Assess potential compensatory expression of other tetraspanin family members
Functionally validate the knockout through appropriate phenotypic assays
Research indicates that single-cell derived knockout lines provide more reliable and pronounced phenotypes for antibody validation studies compared to mixed populations .
Immunohistochemistry studies using CD82 antibodies require rigorous control implementation :
Negative controls:
Omission of primary antibody while maintaining all other steps of the protocol
Isotype-matched control antibodies
Tissues known to lack CD82 expression (validated independently)
CD82 knockout tissues or cells (when available)
Positive controls:
Protocol validation elements:
Antigen retrieval optimization (e.g., CC1 Cell Conditioning Buffer with standard retrieval program)
Antibody concentration titration (starting with 1:50 to 1:80 dilution)
Secondary antibody validation (e.g., Dako swine anti-rabbit at 1:50, 28 min, 37°C)
Signal amplification systems (e.g., Streptavidin ABC system)
Cross-species reactivity assessment:
When using CD82 antibodies for functional blockade studies, comprehensive validation is essential :
Epitope characterization:
Functional validation assays:
Dose-response relationships:
Time-course experiments:
Cross-validation with genetic approaches:
Compare antibody blockade effects with CD82 knockdown/knockout phenotypes
Rescue experiments using CD82 overexpression
CD82 antibodies show promising therapeutic potential for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) treatment based on key research findings :
Mobilization mechanism: CD82 antibodies mobilize CD34+ leukemia cells from the bone marrow microenvironment into peripheral blood, making them more accessible to chemotherapeutic agents
Combinatorial therapy approach:
Molecular pathway interactions:
Model system translation considerations:
Dosage optimization requirements:
Truncated CD82 variants have emerging significance in cancer research with important implications for diagnosis and prognosis :
Biological significance:
Detection strategy using complementary antibodies:
Antibodies recognizing the large extracellular loop (e.g., TS82b targeting amino acids 17-82 and 84-242) detect both full-length and truncated variants
C-terminus-specific antibodies (e.g., ab66400 targeting amino acid 250 to C-terminus) detect only the full-length protein
Using both antibody types enables discrimination between variants
Experimental validation approach:
Western blotting with and without deglycosylation treatment (PNGase F)
Comparison of banding patterns between different antibodies
Correlation with functional assays (migration, invasion)
Clinical correlation analysis:
Patient samples showing only truncated CD82 may indicate poorer prognosis
Ratio of truncated to full-length CD82 may serve as a potential biomarker
Cancer type considerations:
CD82 antibodies have been instrumental in uncovering the relationship between CD82 and S100 family proteins, with significant implications for cancer biology :
Expression correlation findings:
Research using CD82 antibodies in immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that CD82 expression positively correlates with S100 family members (S100A7, S100A7A, S100A6, S100A8, and S100A9)
CD82 knockout models confirmed that loss of CD82 leads to significant downregulation of these S100 proteins
Functional relationship assessment:
S100 proteins are calcium-binding proteins involved in cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, and migration
CD82 may regulate S100 protein expression, potentially affecting downstream cellular processes
This relationship has implications for understanding cancer cell migration and invasion
Methodological approaches using antibodies:
Cancer type considerations:
Therapeutic implications:
The CD82-S100 axis may represent a novel therapeutic target
Monitoring both CD82 and S100 proteins may provide more comprehensive prognostic information
Optimized Western blotting protocols for CD82 detection require careful attention to several technical factors :
Sample preparation considerations:
Gel selection and running conditions:
10-12% SDS-PAGE gels provide optimal resolution for CD82 (29-100 kDa range)
Use gradient gels when detecting both truncated and full-length variants simultaneously
Antibody selection strategy:
Expected band patterns:
Optimization considerations:
Optimal tissue processing for CD82 immunohistochemistry involves several critical steps :
Fixation protocol:
Antigen retrieval methods:
Blocking steps:
Antibody incubation parameters:
Detection system selection: