PTPRC is a member of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase family, functioning as a regulator of T-cell and B-cell receptor signaling . It is expressed on all nucleated hematopoietic cells, including lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes . The protein exists in multiple isoforms (e.g., CD45RA, CD45RO) due to alternative splicing, with molecular weights ranging from 180 to 240 kDa . Key synonyms include CD45, L-CA, and B220 .
PTPRC monoclonal antibodies are generated using hybridoma or recombinant technologies:
Recombinant Approach: Genes encoding PTPRC-specific variable regions are cloned into plasmid vectors and expressed in host cells (e.g., HEK293T) to produce glycosylated antigens . Subsequent affinity chromatography ensures high purity .
Hybridoma Method: Mice immunized with PTPRC-derived peptides or cell lysates yield splenocytes fused with myeloma cells to produce antibody-secreting hybridomas .
CD45 antibodies enable leukocyte subset discrimination (e.g., lymphocytes: CD45+++, monocytes: CD45++) . Clone ML2 achieves >99% positivity in human blood samples .
Protocol: Direct staining with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies (e.g., FITC, APC) requires <15 minutes incubation .
Eukaryotic Glycosylation: Antibodies generated against HEK293T-expressed CD45 show superior affinity compared to prokaryotic antigens, resolving issues with glycosylation-related epitope masking .
Cross-Reactivity: Orthologs exist in mice, rats, and zebrafish, but most commercial antibodies are human-specific .
| Parameter | Clone PTPRC/1461 | Clone CBI-16 |
|---|---|---|
| Specificity | Human T-cell leukemia lines | Human placenta, liver |
| Dilution Range | 1:100–1:500 | 1:20–1:500 (FC) |
| Molecular Weight | 147.5 kDa | 147 kDa (calc.) |
Immune Regulation: CD45 dephosphorylates LYN and SKAP1, modulating T-cell activation . Dysregulation links to autoimmune diseases and leukemias .
Disease Models: CD45-deficient mice exhibit attenuated pro-IL-1β production in neutrophils, implicating its role in inflammatory bone disorders .
PTPRC (Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type C), also known as CD45, is a cell surface glycoprotein expressed on all nucleated hematopoietic cells. It functions as a critical regulator of T and B cell antigen receptor signaling. PTPRC is essential for normal immune system development and function, making it a significant target in immunological research, particularly for studies involving leukocyte identification, activation, and development. Monoclonal antibodies against PTPRC serve as valuable tools for tracking and analyzing immune cell populations and their functional states .
Purified PTPRC monoclonal antibodies are extensively used in several research applications:
Flow cytometry for immunophenotyping of leukocyte populations
Immunohistochemistry of tissue sections for detecting immune cell infiltration
Western blotting for protein expression analysis
Immunoprecipitation studies for protein-protein interaction analysis
Functional studies examining phosphatase activity
Cell sorting and enrichment of specific immune cell populations
Tracking immune responses in experimental disease models
The clone HI30 (mentioned in search results) is particularly useful for flow cytometry applications, allowing researchers to identify and characterize CD45-positive populations in various experimental settings .
For optimal stability and activity retention:
Store purified PTPRC monoclonal antibodies at -20°C for long-term storage
For conjugated antibodies (e.g., APC-conjugated), store at 4°C protected from light
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by aliquoting the antibody upon first thaw
Store working dilutions at 4°C for no more than one week
Follow manufacturer's specific recommendations for each clone and formulation
Monitor for signs of degradation (reduced signal intensity, increased background)
When designing a flow cytometry panel with PTPRC/CD45 antibodies:
Panel Design Strategy:
Consider CD45 as a core marker for identifying all leukocytes
Select appropriate fluorochromes based on your cytometer configuration and other markers
For multicolor panels, place CD45 on a bright fluorochrome if analyzing rare populations
Include appropriate compensation controls
Consider potential spectral overlap with other markers in your panel
Gating Strategy Example:
| Gate | Purpose | Markers |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Remove debris | FSC/SSC |
| Singlets | Remove doublets | FSC-H/FSC-A |
| Viable cells | Exclude dead cells | Viability dye negative |
| Leukocytes | Identify all immune cells | CD45+ |
| Specific subsets | Differentiate cell types | CD45 + lineage markers |
This approach enables robust identification of leukocyte populations for downstream analysis of specific cell subsets .
To ensure reliable and interpretable results:
Essential Controls:
Isotype control matched to the PTPRC antibody's isotype, species, and fluorochrome
Fluorescence Minus One (FMO) control (all antibodies except anti-PTPRC)
Single-stained compensation controls for each fluorochrome
Unstained control for autofluorescence assessment
Positive control (sample known to express PTPRC)
Negative control (sample or cell line not expressing PTPRC)
Validation Controls:
Titration experiment to determine optimal antibody concentration
Blocking experiment to confirm specificity (pre-incubate with unlabeled antibody)
Cross-reactivity assessment if working with non-human species
These controls help distinguish specific staining from background and ensure accurate data interpretation .
For optimal IHC results with PTPRC monoclonal antibodies:
Protocol Optimization Steps:
Antigen Retrieval:
Test both heat-induced (citrate buffer pH 6.0 or EDTA pH 9.0) and enzymatic methods
Optimize retrieval time (typically 15-30 minutes)
Antibody Dilution:
Test serial dilutions (typically 1:50 to 1:500) to determine optimal concentration
Incubate overnight at 4°C for maximum sensitivity
Detection Systems:
For low expression, use polymer-based or amplification systems
For quantitative analysis, use chromogenic substrates with consistent development times
Controls:
Include lymphoid tissue as positive control
Use non-immune IgG of same species and concentration as negative control
Counterstain Optimization:
Adjust hematoxylin intensity to allow clear visualization of membrane staining
This systematic approach helps achieve consistent and specific staining for PTPRC in tissue sections.
Researchers commonly encounter these issues:
Possible causes: Antibody degradation, insufficient permeabilization, epitope masking
Solutions:
Verify antibody activity with positive control
Optimize permeabilization if detecting intracellular epitopes
Try alternative clone recognizing different epitope
Increase antibody concentration within recommended range
Possible causes: Non-specific binding, Fc receptor binding, dead cells
Solutions:
Include Fc receptor blocking step
Add viability dye to exclude dead cells
Reduce antibody concentration
Modify washing steps (increase number or volume)
Possible causes: Variations in sample processing, antibody degradation, instrument variability
Solutions:
Standardize sample preparation protocols
Include calibration beads for instrument standardization
Use internal controls for normalization
Maintain antibody storage conditions
These troubleshooting approaches help resolve common technical issues and improve data quality and reproducibility.
PTPRC exists in multiple isoforms (CD45RA, CD45RB, CD45RC, CD45RO) due to alternative splicing:
Isoform Discrimination Strategy:
| Isoform | Antibody Approach | Cell Type Association |
|---|---|---|
| CD45RA | Use isoform-specific mAbs (e.g., clones targeting exon A-encoded regions) | Naïve T cells, B cells |
| CD45RO | Use mAbs recognizing exon A-excluded regions | Memory T cells |
| Multiple isoforms | Use panel of isoform-specific antibodies | Developmental analysis |
Experimental Approaches:
Two-color flow cytometry with pan-CD45 and isoform-specific antibodies
Western blot analysis to detect molecular weight differences between isoforms
RT-PCR to confirm isoform expression at mRNA level
Data Interpretation:
Consider expression patterns in context of cell activation state
Use known positive controls for each isoform
Validate with complementary techniques (e.g., flow + PCR)
This approach enables researchers to monitor immune cell differentiation states through isoform expression patterns.
When investigating PTPRC/CD45 phosphatase activity:
Experimental Considerations:
Antibody Selection:
Choose clones that don't interfere with the phosphatase domain
Consider using antibodies that modulate phosphatase activity for functional studies
Activity Assays:
Use phosphatase assays with specific substrates
Monitor tyrosine phosphorylation status of known PTPRC substrates (Lck, Fyn)
Combine with immunoprecipitation to isolate PTPRC before activity assessment
Controls:
Include phosphatase inhibitors as negative controls
Use recombinant PTPRC domains as positive controls
Consider PTPRC knockout or knockdown systems for specificity validation
Data Analysis:
Normalize phosphatase activity to PTPRC expression level
Account for potential contributions from other phosphatases
Consider kinetic measurements rather than endpoint assays
This methodological approach allows for meaningful investigation of PTPRC's enzymatic function in various experimental contexts.
PTPRC antibodies can be integrated into cutting-edge single-cell technologies:
Single-Cell Applications:
Mass Cytometry (CyTOF):
Metal-conjugated anti-PTPRC antibodies enable high-parameter analysis
Combine with 30+ other markers for comprehensive immune profiling
Use as a lineage marker in deep immunophenotyping panels
Single-Cell RNA-Seq with Protein Detection:
CITE-seq applications using oligonucleotide-tagged PTPRC antibodies
Correlate protein expression with transcriptome at single-cell resolution
Monitor PTPRC isoform switching events with complementary RNA data
Imaging Mass Cytometry:
Spatial distribution of PTPRC+ cells within tissue microenvironment
Multiplex with tumor markers to study immune infiltration patterns
Quantify distances between PTPRC+ cells and other cell types
Technical Considerations:
Antibody clone selection based on epitope accessibility in fixed cells
Titration optimization for each platform
Batch effect monitoring with appropriate controls
These applications allow researchers to study PTPRC in heterogeneous cell populations with unprecedented resolution.
For detecting and analyzing rare PTPRC-expressing populations:
Methodological Approaches:
Pre-enrichment Strategies:
Magnetic separation using PTPRC antibodies prior to analysis
Density gradient separation of leukocytes from non-hematopoietic cells
Depletion of abundant populations to enrich rare subsets
High-Dimensional Flow Cytometry:
Panel design with PTPRC on bright fluorochromes
Include additional markers for fine discrimination of rare subsets
Acquire sufficient events (≥1 million) to capture rare populations
Sensitivity Enhancement:
Signal amplification systems for dim PTPRC expression
Multi-laser excitation for improved signal resolution
Optimization of PMT voltages for maximum dynamic range
Analysis Considerations:
Use specialized algorithms (viSNE, SPADE, FlowSOM) for unbiased detection
Validate rare populations with orthogonal techniques
Calculate absolute cell counts using counting beads
This systematic approach enables reliable identification and characterization of rare PTPRC-expressing cell populations in complex samples.
PTPRC antibodies are valuable tools for tumor immunology research:
Research Applications:
Immune Infiltrate Characterization:
Quantify total leukocyte infiltration using PTPRC as a pan-leukocyte marker
Combine with lineage markers to determine composition of immune infiltrate
Assess spatial distribution of immune cells within tumor regions
Functional Studies:
Monitor activation status through PTPRC isoform expression
Correlate PTPRC+ cell density with treatment response
Isolate tumor-infiltrating leukocytes for ex vivo functional assays
Methodology Integration:
Multiplex immunohistochemistry with PTPRC and tumor markers
Flow cytometry of disaggregated tumor tissue
Single-cell analysis of PTPRC+ cells from the tumor microenvironment
Data Interpretation Framework:
| Parameter | Analysis Approach | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Density | Quantitative image analysis of PTPRC+ cells/mm² | Prognostic biomarker |
| Distribution | Spatial analysis (margin vs. center) | Immune exclusion assessment |
| Activation state | PTPRC isoform profiling | Functional status indicator |
| Subset composition | Multi-parameter analysis of PTPRC+ subpopulations | Immunotherapy response prediction |
This comprehensive approach provides insights into immune-tumor interactions and potential therapeutic targets.
PTPRC monoclonal antibodies offer valuable tools for infectious disease research:
COVID-19 Applications:
Immune Monitoring:
Track dynamics of leukocyte populations during infection
Identify immune signatures associated with disease severity
Monitor immune reconstitution during recovery
Mechanistic Studies:
Investigate PTPRC isoform switching in response to SARS-CoV-2
Study phosphatase activity modulation in infected immune cells
Examine immune exhaustion phenotypes using PTPRC isoform patterns
Methodological Approaches:
Whole blood immunophenotyping with minimal manipulation
Longitudinal studies of immune subsets during disease progression
Integration with cytokine measurement for comprehensive immune profiling
This research direction can yield insights into pathogen-host interactions and inform therapeutic development.
Recent innovations in stem cell research using PTPRC antibodies include:
Advanced Applications:
HSC Identification:
Precise delineation of HSC populations using PTPRC with stem cell markers
Differential PTPRC expression levels to distinguish primitive vs. committed progenitors
PTPRC isoform expression as indicator of differentiation potential
HSC Purification:
Negative selection strategies using PTPRC for mesenchymal stem cell isolation
Positive selection of defined hematopoietic progenitor populations
Combined positive/negative selection approaches for highly purified populations
Transplantation Studies:
Tracking donor vs. recipient cells using PTPRC allelic variants (CD45.1/CD45.2)
Monitoring engraftment kinetics of specific hematopoietic lineages
Assessment of chimerism in xenograft models
Methodological Framework:
| Application | Technical Approach | Research Value |
|---|---|---|
| HSC identification | Multiparameter flow cytometry with PTPRC | Precise population definition |
| Lineage tracing | PTPRC allelic variant tracking | Stem cell fate mapping |
| Transplantation | Quantitative assessment of donor-derived PTPRC+ cells | Engraftment monitoring |
These approaches advance our understanding of normal and malignant hematopoiesis.
PTPRC antibodies have significant utility in neuroinflammation research:
Neuroimmunology Applications:
CNS Immune Cell Identification:
Distinguish resident microglia (PTPRC^low) from infiltrating leukocytes (PTPRC^high)
Characterize infiltrating immune populations in neuroinflammatory disorders
Monitor blood-brain barrier integrity through tracking PTPRC+ cell infiltration
Disease Models:
Track immune infiltration dynamics in multiple sclerosis models
Characterize neuroinflammatory responses in neurodegenerative diseases
Evaluate therapeutic efficacy in reducing CNS immune infiltration
Methodological Approaches:
Flow cytometry of isolated CNS immune cells
Multiplex immunohistochemistry for spatial context
Live imaging of PTPRC+ cell trafficking in experimental models
Experimental Design Considerations:
Tissue preparation methods that preserve surface epitopes
Appropriate controls distinguishing resident vs. infiltrating cells
Integration with markers of activation and tissue damage
This research area provides insights into neurological disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for neuroinflammatory conditions.