The OAS3 Antibody, FITC conjugated is a fluorescently labeled polyclonal antibody designed for the detection and analysis of the human 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase 3 (OAS3) protein. This antibody is produced in rabbits using recombinant human OAS3 protein fragments (e.g., residues 424–565 or 1056–1087) as immunogens . FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) conjugation enables its use in fluorescence-based applications such as immunofluorescence (IF), flow cytometry, and ELISA .
OAS3 is an interferon-inducible enzyme critical in innate antiviral responses. It synthesizes 2'-5' oligoadenylates (2-5A), activating RNase L to degrade viral RNA and inhibit replication . The FITC-conjugated antibody facilitates real-time visualization of OAS3 in cellular and tissue contexts, supporting research in virology, immunology, and oncology.
OAS3’s role in antiviral defense has been extensively documented. The FITC-conjugated antibody has been used to:
Detect OAS3 upregulation in IFN-treated cells during dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, or Sindbis virus infections .
Validate OAS3’s cytoplasmic localization in infected HeLa and A549 cells via IF .
Recent studies highlight OAS3’s dual role in tumor progression and immunotherapy:
Pro-Tumor Role: OAS3 overexpression in pancreatic cancer (PC) correlates with M2d macrophage polarization, promoting IL-10/VEGF-A secretion and suppressing CD8+ T cell activity .
Therapeutic Target: Knockdown of OAS3 in macrophages reverses immunosuppression, enhances gemcitabine/anti-PD-L1 efficacy, and improves CD8+ T cell infiltration in mouse xenograft models .
| Observation | Implication |
|---|---|
| OAS3 knockdown reduces PD-L1 expression in M2d macrophages | Restores anti-tumor CD8+ T cell activity |
| OAS3 high-expression tumors show elevated Tregs and exhausted T cells | Links OAS3 to immune evasion |
| METTL3-mediated m6A methylation upregulates OAS3 in TAMs | Identifies OAS3 as a downstream target of lactate-driven metabolic reprogramming |
OAS3 expression is elevated in dermatomyositis and myocarditis, correlating with M2 macrophage infiltration . The antibody aids in tracking OAS3 dynamics in autoimmune models.
Western Blot: Detects OAS3 at ~121 kDa in human placenta, HeLa, and A375 cells .
Immunofluorescence: Validated in L929 and U-2OS cell lines .
Flow Cytometry: Used for intracellular OAS3 staining in SiHa cells .
The OAS3 Antibody, FITC conjugated, is indispensable for:
OAS3 (2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthase 3) is an interferon-induced, dsRNA-activated antiviral enzyme critical in cellular innate antiviral response. It functions by synthesizing preferentially dimers of 2'-5'-oligoadenylates (2-5A) from ATP which then bind to the inactive monomeric form of ribonuclease L (RNase L), leading to its dimerization and subsequent activation. This activation results in degradation of cellular and viral RNA, inhibiting protein synthesis and terminating viral replication. Beyond its antiviral role, OAS3 participates in other cellular processes including apoptosis, cell growth, differentiation and gene regulation . OAS3 has demonstrated specific antiviral activity against multiple viruses including Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Dengue virus, Sindbis virus (SINV) and Semliki forest virus (SFV) .
OAS3 Antibody with FITC conjugation is primarily used in immunofluorescence (IF) techniques and flow cytometry. Most commercial preparations indicate validated applications including ELISA and Dot Blot . The FITC conjugation (excitation/emission: 499/515 nm) makes this antibody particularly suitable for direct immunofluorescence studies without requiring secondary antibody detection systems . Different manufacturers recommend varying dilutions, typically 1:50-1:200 for IF applications . While some vendors have validated the antibody for additional applications, researchers should conduct their own validation for specific experimental contexts.
FITC conjugation provides direct visualization capabilities but may affect antibody binding characteristics in several ways:
The conjugation process may sterically hinder epitope recognition if fluorophores are attached near the antigen-binding domain
The fluorophore:protein ratio is critical - over-conjugation can reduce antigen binding while under-conjugation produces weak signals
FITC-conjugated antibodies may show slightly reduced binding affinity compared to unconjugated counterparts due to modification of amino acid residues during the conjugation process
FITC-conjugated antibodies are more sensitive to photobleaching than certain other fluorophores
When transitioning from unconjugated to FITC-conjugated antibodies, researchers should validate optimal working dilutions empirically, as the recommended dilution may differ significantly from unconjugated versions (typically requiring higher concentrations of the conjugated antibody) .
For maximum stability and fluorescence retention, OAS3 Antibody with FITC conjugation should be stored according to these guidelines:
Store at -20°C or -80°C in aliquots to minimize freeze-thaw cycles
Protect from light exposure during storage and handling to prevent photobleaching of the FITC fluorophore
Store in manufacturer's recommended buffer, typically containing 50% glycerol, 0.01M PBS at pH 7.4, and 0.03% Proclin 300 as a preservative
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles as these can significantly compromise antibody binding and fluorescence intensity
When thawed for use, maintain at 4°C and use within 2-3 days for optimal performance
Properly stored, most preparations maintain activity for at least 12 months, though gradual decline in fluorescence intensity may occur over extended storage periods .
Optimization of FITC-conjugated OAS3 antibody for immunofluorescence requires systematic evaluation of multiple parameters:
Protocol optimization strategies:
Concentration titration: Test a range of dilutions between 1:20-1:200 as recommended by different manufacturers
Antigen retrieval evaluation: For fixed tissues, citrate buffer (pH 6.0) or TE buffer (pH 9.0) may improve epitope accessibility
Blocking optimization: Use 5-10% normal serum from the same species as the secondary antibody with 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 for permeabilization
Incubation time and temperature: Compare short incubations (1-2 hours) at room temperature versus overnight at 4°C
Control experiments: Include a no-primary antibody control and isotype control to assess non-specific binding
Signal amplification: For weak signals, consider implementing tyramide signal amplification techniques while maintaining specificity
The optimal protocol will require empirical determination for each tissue type or cell line .
When encountering technical issues with FITC-conjugated OAS3 antibody, systematic troubleshooting approaches include:
For high background:
Increase blocking time (2-3 hours) and concentration (5-10% normal serum)
Add 0.1-0.3% BSA to antibody diluent
Reduce primary antibody concentration
Include 0.1% Tween-20 in wash buffers and increase washing steps
Examine for tissue autofluorescence; consider Sudan Black B treatment (0.1-0.3%) to reduce autofluorescence
For weak signals:
Optimize antigen retrieval methods (test both heat-induced and enzymatic methods)
Increase antibody concentration within recommended range
Extend incubation time (overnight at 4°C)
Ensure proper storage to maintain FITC fluorescence intensity
Use higher-sensitivity detection systems or consider signal amplification techniques
Each troubleshooting approach should be tested systematically, changing only one variable at a time to determine the specific cause of the issue .
For flow cytometry applications with FITC-conjugated OAS3 antibody, researchers should implement these specialized protocols:
Cell preparation: Use gentle fixation (2% paraformaldehyde for 10-15 minutes) followed by permeabilization (0.1% saponin or 0.1% Triton X-100) since OAS3 is primarily intracellular
Antibody titration: Determine optimal staining concentration using a titration series (typically starting at 1:50-1:200 dilution)
Compensation setup: Include single-color controls to compensate for spectral overlap with other fluorophores in the 488nm excitation channel
Gating strategy: Implement hierarchical gating beginning with FSC/SSC to identify cells of interest, followed by viability marker exclusion before analyzing OAS3 expression
Controls: Include FMO (Fluorescence Minus One) controls, isotype controls, and biological negative/positive controls
For detecting OAS3 in different immune cell populations, consider dual staining with lineage markers (e.g., CD14 for monocytes, CD3 for T cells) to correlate OAS3 expression with specific cell types. This approach is particularly valuable when studying IFN-primed macrophages that exhibit high OAS3 expression .
When designing multiplex immunofluorescence panels including FITC-conjugated OAS3 antibody:
Panel design: FITC (excitation/emission: 499/515 nm) is compatible with multiplexing but has potential spectral overlap with other 488nm-excited fluorophores. Careful panel design should account for:
Fluorophore brightness hierarchy (FITC has moderate brightness)
Antigen expression levels (pair brightest fluorophores with lowest-expressed antigens)
Spatial distribution of antigens (avoid fluorophores with similar emission spectra for co-localized antigens)
Sequential staining: Consider sequential rather than cocktail staining when using multiple rabbit-derived antibodies
Autofluorescence mitigation: Implement tissue-specific autofluorescence reduction methods:
Photobleaching
Sudan Black B treatment (0.1-0.3%)
Autofluorescence quenching reagents
Spectral unmixing: Use spectral imaging and computational unmixing algorithms for improved separation of fluorophores with overlapping spectra
Cross-reactivity testing: Validate absence of cross-reactivity between antibodies in the multiplex panel
Comprehensive validation of OAS3 antibody specificity requires multiple complementary approaches:
Positive and negative controls:
Western blot correlation:
Peptide competition assay:
Pre-incubate antibody with immunizing peptide to block specific binding
Compare staining with and without peptide competition
Cross-reactivity assessment:
Orthogonal detection methods:
OAS3 exhibits distinct structural and functional characteristics compared to other OAS family members:
| Feature | OAS1 | OAS2 | OAS3 | OASL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 42-46 kDa | 69-71 kDa | 100-120 kDa | 59 kDa |
| OAS Domains | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 + UBL domains |
| Chromosomal Location | 12q24.1 | 12q24.2 | 12q24.2 | 12q24.2 |
| Oligomerization | Monomeric | Dimeric | Monomeric | Monomeric |
| Oligoadenylate Products | Primarily dimeric | Trimeric/tetrameric | Primarily dimeric | Limited activity |
| Antiviral Activity | RNase L-dependent | RNase L-dependent | Both RNase L-dependent and independent | RNase L-independent |
| dsRNA Binding Affinity | Moderate | High | Highest | Low |
OAS3 synthesizes predominantly dimeric 2-5A oligomers unlike OAS2 which produces primarily trimeric and tetrameric 2-5A products. OAS3's higher affinity for dsRNA makes it particularly effective at low dsRNA concentrations. Additionally, OAS3's unique ability to mediate antiviral effects through both RNase L-dependent and independent pathways distinguishes it from other family members .
Recent research has revealed unexpected roles for OAS3 in tumor immunology:
M2d macrophage polarization: OAS3 has been identified as a key mediator in tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization. Research published in 2024 found that:
Correlation with immunosuppressive markers: OAS3 expression positively correlates with:
Therapeutic targeting potential: Knockdown of OAS3 in macrophages:
This emerging research positions OAS3 as a promising immunotherapeutic target, particularly for "immune-excluded" tumors characterized by abundant peritumoral stromal immune cells .
Studying OAS3 activation state requires specialized techniques that distinguish between basal and activated forms:
Induction protocols for activated state:
IFN-α/β treatment (50-1000 IU/ml, 12-24 hours) induces OAS3 expression
Poly(I:C) transfection (0.5-1 μg/ml) activates existing OAS3
Viral infection models provide physiological activation
Activity assays:
Radiometric assays measuring ATP→2-5A conversion
FRET-based reporter assays for monitoring RNase L activation
IP-kinase assays assessing phosphorylation status
Structural detection of activation:
Proximity ligation assays to detect OAS3-dsRNA interactions
Co-immunoprecipitation studies examining protein-protein interactions in activated state
Conformational antibodies specifically recognizing activated OAS3
Functional readouts:
When designing experiments to distinguish activation states, researchers should include appropriate controls (IFN receptor knockout, OAS3 knockout) and time course analyses to capture the dynamic nature of OAS3 activation.
Based on recent findings implicating OAS3 in immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments, researchers can design experiments using FITC-conjugated OAS3 antibodies to:
Characterize OAS3⁺ cell populations in tumors:
Multiplex immunofluorescence with TAM markers (CD163, CD206) and OAS3
Flow cytometric quantification of OAS3 expression across immune cell subsets
Spatial distribution analysis of OAS3⁺ cells relative to CD8⁺ T cells and tumor cells
Monitor therapeutic responses:
Evaluate OAS3 expression changes during immunotherapy treatment
Correlate OAS3 levels with response/resistance patterns
Develop prognostic scoring based on OAS3⁺ cell infiltration patterns
Mechanistic studies:
Track OAS3 expression changes following metabolite exposure (lactate, etc.)
Investigate epigenetic regulation of OAS3 in different TME conditions
Examine OAS3-dependent secretome alterations in macrophages
Therapeutic targeting validation:
Such approaches could establish OAS3 as a clinically relevant biomarker for immunotherapy response prediction and therapeutic targeting.
To dissect the dual antiviral mechanisms of OAS3, researchers can implement these advanced approaches:
Genetic separation of pathways:
RNase L knockout systems to isolate RNase L-independent functions
OAS3 domain-specific mutants that selectively disrupt RNase L activation
Combination with FITC-conjugated OAS3 antibody to track localization changes
Pathway-specific visualization:
Co-localization studies using FITC-OAS3 antibody with RNase L
Live-cell imaging to track temporal dynamics of pathway activation
Proximity ligation assays to detect specific protein-protein interactions
Functional readouts:
RNase L-specific substrate degradation patterns
Transcriptomic profiling in RNase L-sufficient vs. deficient systems
Viral replication assays with pathway-specific inhibitors
Structural biology approaches:
Antibody epitope mapping to identify conformation-specific states
Domain-specific antibodies to track structural changes during activation
By combining these approaches with the subcellular localization information provided by FITC-conjugated OAS3 antibodies, researchers can create comprehensive models of OAS3's dual antiviral mechanisms .
Integrating computational approaches with OAS3 immunofluorescence data enables sophisticated analysis frameworks:
Machine learning for image analysis:
Automated quantification of OAS3 expression patterns
Cell-type specific OAS3 localization classification
Correlation of expression patterns with functional outcomes
Systems biology integration:
Multi-parameter correlation of OAS3 with other immune markers
Network analysis of OAS3-associated proteins
Dynamic modeling of OAS3 activation kinetics
Biomarker development:
Identification of OAS3 expression thresholds predictive of antiviral responses
Multi-marker signatures incorporating OAS3 and related pathway components
Patient stratification algorithms based on OAS3 and response patterns
Spatial analysis frameworks:
Neighborhood analysis of OAS3⁺ cells in tissue contexts
Interaction maps between OAS3⁺ cells and other immune populations
Tissue architecture influence on OAS3 pathway activation
This integrated approach transforms static immunofluorescence data into dynamic predictive models of antiviral efficacy, particularly valuable in assessing therapeutic responses to viral infections where OAS3 plays a critical role .
Ensuring experimental reproducibility requires comprehensive lot validation protocols:
Spectrophotometric assessment:
Absorbance ratios (280nm vs. 495nm) to determine F/P (fluorophore-to-protein) ratio
Consistent F/P ratios between 3-7 typically yield optimal performance
Emission spectra analysis to confirm fluorescence properties
Performance validation:
Side-by-side testing with reference lot using identical protocols
Multi-parameter comparative analysis:
Signal intensity at standardized dilutions
Background levels under identical conditions
Signal-to-noise ratios across dilution series
Application-specific validation:
Flow cytometry: Mean fluorescence intensity comparison
Immunofluorescence microscopy: Integrated density measurements
Dot blot: Signal intensity at serial dilutions
Stability testing:
Accelerated stability testing under defined conditions
Photobleaching resistance comparison between lots
Freeze-thaw stability assessment
Identity confirmation:
Implementing standardized lot testing protocols ensures experimental reproducibility and reliable data generation across studies.
Cross-platform validation requires systematic comparison strategies:
Sequential validation approach:
Begin with the most established application (typically Western blot)
Progress to more complex applications (IF, flow cytometry)
Document optimal conditions for each platform
Concentration optimization:
Determine optimal working concentration independently for each platform
Typical dilution ranges:
ELISA: 1:1000-1:5000
Immunofluorescence: 1:50-1:200
Flow cytometry: 1:50-1:100
Buffer compatibility assessment:
Test performance in application-specific buffers
Evaluate impact of specific components (detergents, salts, blocking proteins)
Control system development:
Establish platform-specific positive and negative controls
Create reference standards for quantitative comparisons
Correlation analysis:
Systematic cross-platform validation ensures consistent biological interpretations regardless of the detection method employed.
OAS3 expression profiling could enable precision medicine approaches for viral infections:
Patient stratification:
Baseline OAS3 expression levels may predict interferon responsiveness
Genetic variants affecting OAS3 function can be correlated with expression patterns
OAS3 activation state assessment may identify patients with impaired antiviral pathways
Treatment response monitoring:
Serial sampling to track OAS3 expression changes during antiviral therapy
Correlation with viral load and clinical outcomes
Early identification of non-responders based on OAS3 activation patterns
Combination therapy rationales:
Patients with defective OAS3 pathways may benefit from alternative antiviral strategies
OAS3 expression patterns may guide adjuvant therapy selection
Immunomodulatory approaches could be personalized based on OAS3 functional status
Biobanking and retrospective analysis:
By incorporating OAS3 expression profiling into clinical decision-making algorithms, more targeted and effective antiviral strategies can be developed.
Investigating OAS3 in tumor-associated macrophages requires specialized approaches:
Sample preparation considerations:
Fresh tissue processing within 2-4 hours to preserve macrophage phenotypes
Optimized disaggregation protocols to maintain surface marker integrity
Specialized fixation (light PFA fixation, 2-3%) to preserve both surface markers and intracellular OAS3
Macrophage phenotyping strategies:
Multi-parameter flow cytometry panels including:
M1 markers: CD80, CD86, HLA-DR
M2 markers: CD163, CD206
M2d-specific: IL-10, VEGF, PD-L1
OAS3 (FITC-conjugated)
Spectral flow cytometry for comprehensive phenotyping
Functional correlation assays:
OAS3⁺ macrophage isolation and functional testing
Secretome analysis correlated with OAS3 expression
T cell suppression assays stratified by OAS3 expression
In situ analysis approaches:
Multiplex immunofluorescence to preserve spatial context
Digital spatial profiling for comprehensive marker analysis
Single-cell RNA-seq with protein (CITE-seq) to correlate OAS3 mRNA and protein
Intervention studies:
These methodological considerations enable robust investigation of OAS3's newly discovered role in tumor immunosuppression.
Emerging antibody technologies hold promise for advancing OAS3 research:
Next-generation fluorophores:
Quantum dot conjugation for enhanced photostability and brightness
Near-infrared fluorophores for reduced autofluorescence and deeper tissue imaging
Self-quenching antibodies that fluoresce only upon target binding
Conformational state-specific antibodies:
Antibodies specifically recognizing activated vs. inactive OAS3
Phosphorylation state-specific antibodies for activation status
Conformation-sensitive nanobodies for minimally invasive tracking
Multimodal imaging capabilities:
Dual-modality probes combining fluorescence with MRI or PET
Theranostic antibody conjugates for simultaneous imaging and targeting
Mass cytometry (CyTOF) compatible antibodies for highly multiplexed detection
Intracellular delivery innovations:
Cell-penetrating antibody formats for live-cell imaging
Conditionally activatable antibodies for spatiotemporal control
mRNA-encoded antibody fragments for endogenous expression
Clinical translation potential: