CD86 (B7-2) is a type I transmembrane protein in the immunoglobulin superfamily, serving as a ligand for CD28 and CTLA-4 on T cells . Biotinylated anti-CD86 antibodies are monoclonal or polyclonal reagents designed for high-sensitivity detection in experimental assays. Key features include:
Human-specific clones:
Mouse-specific clone:
Biotinylation preserves antibody affinity, enabling use in multiplex assays .
Storage: Stable at -20°C to -70°C for 12 months; avoid freeze-thaw cycles .
T-cell costimulation: CD86 binding to CD28 enhances T-cell activation, while interaction with CTLA-4 suppresses immune responses .
Regulatory T-cell (Treg) maintenance: Post-influenza infection, CD86 blockade reduces lung Tregs, exacerbating neutrophil-mediated inflammation .
Clone | Cell Line | Sensitivity |
---|---|---|
IT2.2 (human) | Peripheral blood | ≤0.5 µg/test |
GL1 (mouse) | Activated splenocytes | ≤0.25 µg/test |
Mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) inhibition: αCD86-biotin antibodies reduced T-cell proliferation by 80–95% .
Protein synthesis inhibition: Immunotoxins suppressed RhB cell lines with >90% efficacy at 10 nM .
CD86, also known as B7-2, is an approximately 80 kDa surface receptor belonging to the B7 family of costimulatory molecules. It is a type I membrane protein and member of the immunoglobulin superfamily primarily expressed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) . CD86 serves as a counter-receptor for the T cell surface molecules CD28 and CD152 (CTLA-4), playing a crucial role in T-B crosstalk and immune response regulation . Biotinylated antibodies provide exceptional versatility in research applications due to biotin's high affinity for streptavidin and avidin. This characteristic allows for signal amplification in detection systems and enables flexible experimental protocols where secondary detection reagents can be varied while maintaining consistent primary antibody binding. For CD86 detection, biotinylated antibodies are particularly useful in flow cytometry applications, allowing researchers to examine expression patterns on various cell populations with high sensitivity .
CD86 functions as a critical costimulatory molecule in the immune system, participating in the "second signal" required for effective T cell activation. During antigen presentation, CD86 on APCs interacts with CD28 on T cells, providing essential costimulatory signals that promote T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and survival . This interaction is particularly important during the primary phase of an immune response due to the rapid upregulation kinetics of CD86 following stimulation . Conversely, CD86 binding to CTLA-4 (CD152) on activated T cells delivers inhibitory signals that negatively regulate T cell activation and help diminish the immune response, contributing to immune homeostasis . CD86 also plays important roles in T-B cell collaboration, autoantibody production, and Th2-mediated immunoglobulin production . The absence of sufficient CD86-mediated costimulation during antigen presentation can induce immune tolerance rather than activation, highlighting its significance in shaping appropriate immune responses .
CD86 is expressed primarily by professional antigen-presenting cells including:
B cells (low basal level, highly inducible)
Macrophages (low basal level)
Dendritic cells (low basal level)
Activated mouse T cells (species-specific expression)
CD86 expression is tightly regulated and can be upregulated through various stimuli. On B cells, upregulation occurs through several pathways including BCR complex signaling, CD40 engagement, and cytokine receptor activation . The kinetics of CD86 upregulation make it particularly important during the primary phase of immune responses, as it can be rapidly expressed following stimulation . This dynamic regulation allows for precise control of costimulatory signals during different phases of immune responses. Flow cytometric analysis is commonly used to detect and quantify CD86 expression on these cell populations, with antibodies such as IT2.2 (human-specific) or GL1 (mouse-specific) being valuable tools for these studies .
While CD86 (B7-2) and CD80 (B7-1) are both members of the B7 family of costimulatory molecules and share the same binding partners (CD28 and CTLA-4), they exhibit important functional and expression differences:
Characteristic | CD86 (B7-2) | CD80 (B7-1) |
---|---|---|
Expression kinetics | Rapidly upregulated, important in primary immune responses | Slower upregulation |
Basal expression | Low levels on resting APCs | Minimal on resting APCs |
Binding affinity | Lower affinity for CTLA-4 | Higher affinity for CTLA-4 |
T helper differentiation | Appears to play a distinct role in T helper cell differentiation | Different impact on T helper differentiation patterns |
Functional outcomes | Primary contribution during initial immune response | More significant in later stages of immune responses |
CD86 appears to play a role distinct from CD80 in T helper cell differentiation, suggesting non-redundant functions in shaping immune responses . Both molecules can provide costimulation, but their differential expression patterns and binding properties allow for fine-tuning of immune activation and regulation at different stages of the response . The rapid upregulation of CD86 upon stimulation supports its major contribution during the primary phase of an immune response, whereas CD80 may play more prominent roles in later stages .
The optimal concentration of biotinylated CD86 antibody for flow cytometry depends on the specific clone and application. Based on manufacturer recommendations:
For the IT2.2 monoclonal antibody (human-specific): Use ≤0.5 μg per test
For the GL1 monoclonal antibody (mouse-specific): Use ≤0.25 μg per test
A "test" is defined as the amount of antibody required to stain a cell sample in a final volume of 100 μL . The number of cells can range from 10^5 to 10^8 cells per test, though this should be empirically determined for each experimental system . It is strongly recommended to carefully titrate the antibody for optimal performance in your specific assay to achieve the best signal-to-noise ratio. This involves testing several antibody concentrations with the same cell samples to determine the concentration that provides maximum specific staining with minimal background. Proper titration not only ensures reliable results but also helps conserve valuable reagents and maximize the number of experiments possible with limited antibody supplies .
For optimal CD86 detection using biotinylated antibodies, follow these methodological guidelines:
Cell preparation:
For peripheral blood samples: Use fresh samples or properly cryopreserved cells
For cultured cells: Ensure viability >90% for reliable results
Adjust cell concentration to 1-5 × 10^6 cells/mL in appropriate buffer
Staining protocol for flow cytometry:
Prepare single-cell suspensions in cold buffer (PBS + 1-2% FBS/BSA)
Block Fc receptors to reduce non-specific binding (10-15 minutes incubation)
Add titrated amount of biotinylated CD86 antibody (≤0.5 μg for IT2.2; ≤0.25 μg for GL1)
Incubate 20-30 minutes at 2-8°C protected from light
Wash cells twice with staining buffer
Add appropriate streptavidin conjugate (fluorophore of choice)
Incubate 15-20 minutes at 2-8°C protected from light
Wash twice and resuspend in appropriate buffer for analysis
Sample considerations:
Remember that CD86 expression is typically low on resting cells and increases following activation, so including both resting and activated samples can provide important biological controls . The staining protocol may need optimization based on your specific application and cell type.
When using biotinylated CD86 antibodies, including proper controls is essential for accurate data interpretation:
Isotype controls:
Include appropriate biotinylated isotype control antibodies matched to the primary antibody's host species and immunoglobulin class (e.g., biotinylated rabbit IgG for rabbit polyclonal antibodies)
Apply the same concentration as the CD86 antibody
This helps distinguish non-specific binding from genuine CD86 detection
Biological controls:
Technical controls:
Unstained cells: To establish autofluorescence baseline
Secondary-only controls: Cells treated with streptavidin conjugate only (no primary antibody)
Fluorescence minus one (FMO) controls: In multicolor panels, include samples with all fluorophores except the one detecting CD86
Single-stained controls: For compensation setup in multicolor experiments
Validation controls:
Cross-validation with another CD86 antibody clone or detection method
Blocking controls: Pre-incubation with unconjugated antibody should reduce specific staining
Implementing these controls helps ensure reliable and interpretable results when studying CD86 expression patterns in your experimental system.
The choice between monoclonal and polyclonal CD86 antibodies depends on your specific research needs:
Consider monoclonal antibodies when:
You need high specificity and consistent results across experiments
You're performing flow cytometry applications
You're focusing on a single species (human or mouse)
Consider polyclonal antibodies when:
You need to detect CD86 across multiple species
You require versatility across different experimental techniques
You want to maximize detection of all CD86 protein variants
You're performing Western blot or immunohistochemistry experiments
Biotinylated CD86 antibodies are valuable tools for studying the complex dynamics of T cell-APC interactions:
Co-culture systems analysis:
Use flow cytometry to simultaneously measure CD86 expression on APCs and activation markers on T cells
Track temporal changes in CD86 expression during APC-T cell interactions
Correlate CD86 expression levels with T cell proliferation and cytokine production
Blocking experiments:
Use non-biotinylated CD86 antibodies to block CD86-CD28/CTLA-4 interactions
Compare with isotype controls to determine the specific contribution of CD86 to T cell activation
Assess downstream effects on cytokine production, proliferation, and effector function
Imaging applications:
Utilize biotinylated CD86 antibodies with streptavidin-fluorophore conjugates for immunofluorescence
Examine the spatial distribution of CD86 at the immunological synapse
Combine with other markers to visualize receptor clustering and signaling complex formation
Functional assays:
These approaches help elucidate the critical role of CD86 in providing costimulatory signals that determine whether T cells become fully activated or develop tolerance in response to antigen presentation. The interactions between CD86 on APCs and CD28/CTLA-4 on T cells are fundamental to understanding immune regulation mechanisms and developing immunotherapeutic strategies .
To investigate CD86's role in costimulatory signaling pathways:
Receptor engagement studies:
Use CD86 antibodies to track receptor expression before and after CD28/CTLA-4 engagement
Analyze changes in CD86 distribution and phosphorylation status following ligand binding
Investigate bidirectional signaling where CD86 not only activates T cells but may also transduce signals back to APCs
Signaling pathway analysis:
Combine CD86 detection with phospho-flow cytometry to measure activation of downstream signaling molecules (NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K)
Use CD86 blockade to determine which signaling pathways are dependent on CD86-mediated costimulation
Examine how CD86 signaling integrates with other costimulatory pathways
Genetic approaches:
Use CD86 knockout or knockdown systems to evaluate its necessity in costimulatory signaling
Re-express wild-type or mutant CD86 to identify critical domains for signaling
Perform site-directed mutagenesis to determine which CD86 residues are essential for binding CD28 versus CTLA-4
System-level analysis:
These methodological approaches help delineate how CD86 contributes to the "second signal" in T cell activation and how it influences the balance between immunity and tolerance. Understanding these pathways has significant implications for autoimmune disease research and cancer immunotherapy development .
For quantitative assessment of CD86 expression changes during activation:
Flow cytometry-based quantification:
Measure both percentage of CD86+ cells and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)
Use quantitative flow cytometry with calibrated beads to determine absolute number of CD86 molecules per cell
Track temporal changes in CD86 expression following various activation stimuli
Compare CD86 upregulation kinetics across different cell types and activation conditions
Transcriptional analysis:
Perform RT-qPCR to measure CD86 mRNA levels before and after activation
Compare protein and mRNA kinetics to understand regulatory mechanisms
Use RNA-seq to place CD86 expression changes in the context of global transcriptional programs
Imaging-based approaches:
Use quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy with biotinylated CD86 antibodies
Assess changes in subcellular localization and clustering upon activation
Perform live-cell imaging to track dynamic changes in CD86 expression and distribution
Biochemical quantification:
A comparative study examining CD86 expression on dendritic cells (DCs) found that LPS stimulation significantly enhanced the expression of costimulatory markers including CD86, measured by both mean fluorescence intensity and percentage of positive cells . Interestingly, while biotin deficiency had no significant effect on DC phenotype regarding CD86 expression, it did enhance inflammatory responses, suggesting complex regulation of costimulatory molecule function beyond simple expression levels .
When working with CD86 antibodies across different species, consider these important factors:
Antibody selection:
Epitope conservation:
Expression pattern differences:
Validation requirements:
Always validate antibodies when moving to a new species
Include appropriate positive and negative controls specific to each species
Consider using multiple antibody clones targeting different epitopes for confirmation
Application considerations:
When planning cross-species studies, the polyclonal antibody (bs-1035R-Biotin) with documented reactivity to human, mouse, rat, and dog may be advantageous for comparative studies, though validation in each species remains essential .
Inconsistent CD86 staining can result from several methodological and biological factors:
Technical variables:
Antibody concentration: Insufficient titration may result in suboptimal signal-to-noise ratio
Incubation conditions: Variations in temperature, time, or buffer composition
Cell preparation: Differences in viability, fixation, or permeabilization procedures
Instrument settings: Inconsistent voltage settings or improper compensation
Streptavidin conjugate variability: Different lots or degradation of fluorophores
Biological variables:
Activation state: CD86 is dynamically regulated and expression levels change rapidly
Cell type heterogeneity: Subpopulations may express different levels of CD86
Donor variability: Genetic background can influence basal and inducible expression
Sample handling: Delayed processing may affect surface protein integrity
Antibody-specific factors:
Lot-to-lot variation: More common with polyclonal antibodies
Epitope accessibility: Conformational changes in CD86 may affect antibody binding
Competition with ligands: Endogenous CD28 or CTLA-4 may block antibody binding sites
Protocol optimization strategies:
For technical reproducibility, it's recommended to carefully titrate antibody concentration (≤0.5 μg per test for IT2.2; ≤0.25 μg per test for GL1) and maintain consistent experimental conditions across studies .
To differentiate between true CD86 expression and background signal:
Control implementation:
Titration optimization:
Perform antibody titration experiments to identify the concentration that maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio
Plot signal-to-noise ratio versus antibody concentration to identify optimal staining conditions
Recommended starting points: ≤0.5 μg per test for IT2.2 (human); ≤0.25 μg per test for GL1 (mouse)
Analytical approaches:
Use biexponential display scales to visualize both dim and bright populations
Apply consistent gating strategies based on controls
Consider statistical approaches such as Overton subtraction or probability binning
Examine both percentage positive and MFI values
Validation strategies:
A study examining CD86 expression on dendritic cells demonstrated that while biotin deficiency did not affect CD86 expression levels, LPS stimulation significantly upregulated CD86 expression, providing a useful positive control for distinguishing genuine expression from background . This approach of comparing resting and activated cells can be particularly valuable for validating CD86 detection methods.
Multiple factors can influence CD86 antibody binding efficiency:
Sample preparation factors:
Antibody characteristics:
Epitope accessibility: Conformational changes in CD86 may affect binding
Clone-specific properties: Different affinity and avidity between clones (IT2.2, GL1)
Biotin:antibody ratio: Over-biotinylation can decrease antibody activity
Storage conditions: Freeze-thaw cycles and improper storage temperature
Biological variables:
Ligand occupancy: Endogenous CD28/CTLA-4 binding may block antibody access
Glycosylation patterns: Variable glycosylation can affect epitope recognition
Isoform expression: Alternative splicing creates multiple CD86 isoforms
Internalization kinetics: CD86 receptor cycling can affect surface availability
Technical considerations:
To optimize binding efficiency, maintain proper storage conditions for antibodies (store at -20°C as recommended), include appropriate Fc blocking steps, optimize incubation conditions, and ensure filtration quality (0.2 μm post-manufacturing filtered antibodies are recommended) .
When interpreting CD86 expression data in the context of immune activation:
Expression level considerations:
Baseline expression: Low levels on resting B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells
Activation markers: Compare CD86 upregulation with other activation markers (CD80, HLA-DR)
Kinetics: CD86 is typically upregulated rapidly upon activation, supporting its major contribution during the primary phase of immune responses
Cell-type specific patterns: Different APC types show distinct CD86 expression dynamics
Functional correlations:
T cell responses: Correlate CD86 levels with T cell proliferation and cytokine production
Costimulatory balance: Examine the ratio of CD86 to other costimulatory/inhibitory molecules
Threshold effects: Determine minimum CD86 expression required for effective T cell activation
Regulation mechanisms: Analyze how CD86 expression relates to tolerance versus activation
Analytical frameworks:
Percentage positive vs. MFI: Analyze both metrics as they provide complementary information
Bimodal distributions: Investigate whether discrete CD86-high and CD86-low populations exist
Population heterogeneity: Correlate CD86 expression with other phenotypic markers
Temporal dynamics: Track expression changes over time following stimulation
Experimental context:
Stimulation conditions: Different stimuli (BCR engagement, CD40 ligation, cytokines) induce distinct CD86 expression patterns
Species differences: Human and mouse cells may show different expression dynamics
In vitro vs. in vivo: Consider how culture conditions may affect expression compared to physiological settings
CD86 expression undergoes significant changes during inflammatory responses:
Acute inflammation:
Rapid upregulation on antigen-presenting cells following exposure to:
Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)
Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)
Pro-inflammatory cytokines
Enhanced CD86 expression correlates with increased T cell activation capacity
Changes may occur in both percentage of CD86+ cells and expression intensity (MFI)
Chronic inflammation:
Persistently elevated CD86 levels on tissue-resident APCs
Altered ratio of CD86 to inhibitory molecules
Changes in CD86 isoform distribution
Modification of downstream signaling pathways
Tissue-specific patterns:
Mucosal surfaces: Distinct regulation compared to peripheral blood
Central nervous system: Microglia upregulate CD86 during neuroinflammation
Synovial tissue: Elevated CD86 in rheumatoid arthritis
Skin: Increased CD86+ dendritic cells in psoriasis and dermatitis
Methodological approaches:
A study examining dendritic cells found that LPS stimulation significantly enhanced the expression of costimulatory markers including CD86, confirming its role as an inflammatory marker . This upregulation represents a critical step in APC maturation that enables effective T cell activation during inflammatory responses. Interestingly, while biotin deficiency enhanced inflammatory responses of dendritic cells, it did not significantly affect CD86 expression levels, suggesting complex regulation of inflammation beyond costimulatory molecule expression .
CD86 has emerged as a significant factor in cancer immunotherapy research:
Tumor microenvironment interactions:
Reduced CD86 expression on tumor-associated APCs contributes to immunosuppression
Tumor cells may downregulate CD86 on infiltrating dendritic cells
CD86 expression correlates with T cell infiltration and activation status
Ratio of CD86 to inhibitory molecules (PD-L1) may predict immunotherapy responsiveness
Therapeutic targeting strategies:
Enhancing CD86 expression on APCs to improve anti-tumor immunity
Engineering CAR-T cells to deliver CD86 costimulatory signals
Combining CD86 agonism with checkpoint inhibitor therapies
Developing CD86-targeted imaging approaches for monitoring immune responses
Research applications:
Biomarker potential:
CD86 expression on circulating monocytes as a predictive biomarker
Changes in CD86 levels during immunotherapy as pharmacodynamic markers
Soluble CD86 in patient serum as a prognostic indicator
CD86 polymorphisms as predictors of therapy response
Specific malignancies such as gallbladder squamous cell carcinoma have been associated with CD86 dysfunction, highlighting its relevance in cancer biology . Research on CD86 in the cancer context is facilitated by antibodies that enable precise detection and quantification in both flow cytometry and tissue-based applications .
Biotinylated CD86 antibodies serve as valuable tools for investigating immune tolerance:
Tolerance induction mechanisms:
Antigen presentation without sufficient CD86/CD80 costimulation can induce tolerance
CD86 detection helps identify APCs with tolerogenic versus immunogenic phenotypes
Flow cytometric analysis can correlate CD86 expression with regulatory T cell induction
Imaging studies can visualize CD86 distribution during tolerogenic APC-T cell interactions
Self-tolerance maintenance:
Examine CD86 expression on APCs in peripheral tolerance models
Investigate how regulatory T cells modulate CD86 expression on APCs
Study CD86 in thymic selection processes
Compare CD86 levels in steady-state versus inflammatory conditions
Therapeutic tolerance induction:
Track CD86 expression during tolerogenic therapies
Monitor changes in CD86:inhibitory molecule ratios
Assess how tolerogenic protocols affect CD86 expression kinetics
Correlate CD86 levels with functional tolerance outcomes
Methodological approaches:
The critical role of CD86 in determining tolerance versus immunity is highlighted by the finding that antigen presentation without sufficient CD86/CD80 costimulation leads to tolerance rather than activation . This principle underlies therapeutic approaches that modulate CD86 signaling to induce tolerance in autoimmunity and transplantation. Biotinylated CD86 antibodies enable detailed characterization of APC phenotypes during these processes, providing crucial insights into tolerance mechanisms .
CD86 dysfunction has been implicated in several disease processes:
Gallbladder squamous cell carcinoma:
Myocarditis:
Autoimmune disorders:
Enhanced CD86 expression on APCs in active disease phases
Polymorphisms in CD86 associated with disease susceptibility
Altered CD86 glycosylation affecting binding properties
Therapeutic targeting of CD86-CD28 interactions
Infectious diseases:
Methodological approaches:
Research has identified gallbladder squamous cell carcinoma and myocarditis as specific conditions associated with CD86 dysfunction . These findings highlight the importance of proper CD86 signaling in maintaining immune homeostasis and suggest potential therapeutic avenues targeting this pathway. The availability of various biotinylated CD86 antibodies with different species reactivity profiles facilitates comparative studies across disease models .
CD86, also known as B7-2, B70, and Ly-58, is an 80 kDa glycoprotein that belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is expressed on the surface of various immune cells, including activated B and T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and astrocytes . CD86 plays a crucial role in the immune response by acting as a co-stimulatory molecule that enhances T cell activation and proliferation.
CD86 is a ligand for two important receptors on T cells: CD28 and CTLA-4 (CD152). The interaction between CD86 and CD28 provides a necessary co-stimulatory signal for T cell activation, leading to T cell proliferation and cytokine production . Conversely, the binding of CD86 to CTLA-4 delivers an inhibitory signal that downregulates T cell responses, thus maintaining immune homeostasis .
The biotinylated rat anti-mouse CD86 antibody is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the CD86 molecule on mouse cells. This antibody is conjugated with biotin, a vitamin that can be detected using avidin or streptavidin-based detection systems, making it useful for various immunological assays .
The biotinylated rat anti-mouse CD86 antibody is widely used in research to study the role of CD86 in immune responses. Some common applications include: