Applications : Immunosorbent assays
Sample type: Human Tissues
Review: Serum samples were tested with in-house indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antinNav1.5-Ab. The plate was incubated with 100 µl of rabbit anti-human IgG, HRP conjugated secondary antibody. It suggested the difference in antinNav1.5-Ab expression in the serum of control, pretreatment and ongoing-treatment patients with breast cancer. The error bars represent the SEM. a: P = 0.0004; b: P = 0.0184; c: P = 0.449
Rabbit anti-Human IgG (HRP conjugated) antibodies are secondary antibodies generated by immunizing rabbits with human immunoglobulin G. These antibodies specifically recognize and bind to the constant region of human IgG molecules. The horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme is covalently linked to the antibody through a modified Nakane and Kawaoi procedure, creating a detection system that can be visualized through various substrates.
In immunodetection systems, these antibodies function through a two-step process:
The primary antibody (human IgG) binds to the target antigen
The HRP-conjugated rabbit anti-human IgG binds to the primary antibody
When substrate is added, the HRP enzyme catalyzes a reaction producing a detectable signal
This system provides signal amplification as multiple secondary antibodies can bind to a single primary antibody, enhancing detection sensitivity across various applications including Western blot, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry .
The optimal dilution varies significantly based on the specific application, detection method, and the particular antibody product being used. Below is a comprehensive dilution guide based on application:
It is critical to note that these ranges are guidelines. As stated in multiple product documentation: "Optimal dilutions should be determined by each laboratory for each application" . Performing antibody titration experiments is essential for achieving optimal signal-to-noise ratios in your specific experimental system .
Proper storage is critical for maintaining antibody activity. Storage conditions vary based on the antibody's form (lyophilized or liquid):
For lyophilized antibodies:
After reconstitution, antibodies can be stored at 2-8°C for approximately 6 weeks
For long-term storage after reconstitution:
For liquid antibodies:
Most liquid preparations contain 50% glycerol to prevent freezing at -20°C
Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles by preparing working aliquots
Some formulations contain preservatives like 0.03% Proclin-300 or 0.1% Kathon
Working dilutions should be prepared on the day of use for optimal results . Some products have demonstrated stability for at least 6 months from date of receipt when stored as recommended .
Cross-reactivity is a significant concern that can impact experimental specificity. Several products explicitly address this issue:
The most common cross-reactivity concerns include:
Cross-reactivity with immunoglobulins from other species, particularly:
Mouse IgG
Rat IgG
Goat IgG
Rabbit IgG (self-reactivity)
Several manufacturers produce highly cross-adsorbed versions to minimize these concerns. For example:
"This is a highly cross-adsorbed rabbit anti-human IgG (H+L) secondary antibody... To minimize cross-reactivity, the antibody has been adsorbed against mouse serum"
"Based on Immunoelectrophoresis, no reactivity is observed to non-immunoglobulin human serum immunoglobulins"
"This HRP conjugated antibody is specific for human IgG and shows no cross-reactivity with rat/mouse/goat/rabbit IgG"
When working with samples that may contain rheumatoid factor or other endogenous antibodies, additional blocking steps or specialized antibody fragments (F(ab')2) may be necessary to reduce non-specific binding .
Implementing appropriate controls is essential for result validation. Based on research methodologies described in the search results, the following controls should be included:
Positive control: Known sample containing target protein with human IgG primary antibody
Loading control: Housekeeping protein (e.g., beta-actin at 42kDa)
Molecular weight marker: To verify target protein size
Positive control: Tissue known to express the target protein
Negative control: "Control was done by omitting primary antibody"
Isotype control: Irrelevant human IgG of the same isotype
Blank wells: All reagents except primary antibody
Cross-reactivity control: Testing with non-human immunoglobulins
As noted in one application example: "Detection of FoxP3 in human tonsil using 5 μg/mL of Rabbit monoclonal anti-human FoxP3 primary antibody (MAB8214) followed by 30 min incubation with Goat anti Rabbit HRP conjugated secondary antibodies... Control was done by omitting primary antibody" .
The HRP conjugation method significantly impacts antibody performance in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and stability:
Most manufacturers use a modified Nakane and Kawaoi procedure (J. Histochem. Cytochem. 1974, 22, 1084) for conjugating HRP to antibodies . This method creates a covalent bond between the enzyme and antibody while preserving both immunological and enzymatic activities.
Key factors affected by conjugation method:
Conjugation ratio (HRP:antibody):
Higher ratios increase sensitivity but may reduce specificity
Excessive conjugation can sterically hinder antibody binding
Site of conjugation:
Conjugation at or near the antigen-binding site can reduce affinity
Site-directed conjugation preserves binding capacity better than random conjugation
Stability of conjugate:
Background signal:
Certain conjugation methods can increase non-specific binding
Purification steps post-conjugation remove free HRP that could contribute to background
For example, one product specifies: "Peroxidase conjugates are prepared by a modified Nakane and Kawaoi procedure" , while another indicates "HRP-labeled Rabbit IgG in phosphate buffered saline" , suggesting differences in conjugation approaches between manufacturers.
High background is a common issue when using HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies. Based on the technical information provided in the search results, effective troubleshooting approaches include:
Optimize antibody dilution:
Improve blocking:
Adjust washing:
Reduce cross-reactivity:
Optimize antibody concentration:
Modify incubation conditions:
Enhance blocking of endogenous peroxidase:
Pre-treat with hydrogen peroxide solution
Use specialized blocking reagents for endogenous biotin if using avidin-biotin systems
Detection sensitivity is influenced by multiple factors when using HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies with different substrates:
Antibody concentration:
Incubation conditions:
Buffer composition:
Substrate development time:
Excessive development increases background
Optimal timing must be determined empirically
Detection instruments:
As noted in technical documentation: "Dilution factors are presented in the form of a range because the optimal dilution is a function of many factors, such as antigen density, permeability, etc. The actual dilution used must be determined empirically" .
Different formulations of Rabbit anti-Human IgG (HRP conjugated) can significantly impact experimental results through several mechanisms:
Various formulations exist across manufacturers:
The presence of stabilizers like glycerol affects freezing properties and long-term stability, while preservatives like Proclin-300 or Kathon prevent microbial growth but may interfere with certain applications.
Different products offer varying antibody fragments:
Whole IgG: "The whole IgG form of antibodies is suitable for the majority of immunodetection procedures and is the most cost effective"
F(ab')2 fragments: "Antibody form: F(ab')2 fragment of affinity isolated antibody"
F(ab')2 fragments may reduce non-specific binding through Fc receptors, particularly important in tissues with high Fc receptor expression.
The purification method affects specificity, with affinity purification generally yielding higher specificity antibodies.
While specific conjugation ratios are rarely disclosed, different products may have varying HRP:antibody ratios, affecting signal intensity and non-specific binding.
The search results indicate that researchers should "determine optimal dilutions/concentrations for each specific application" to account for formulation differences.
Multiplexed assays require special considerations when using Rabbit anti-Human IgG (HRP conjugated) antibodies:
Use highly cross-adsorbed antibodies: "This is a highly cross-adsorbed rabbit anti-human IgG (H+L) secondary antibody... To minimize cross-reactivity, the antibody has been adsorbed against mouse serum"
Consider species compatibility: "This peroxidase conjugated antibody is specific for human IgG and shows no cross-reactivity with rat/mouse/goat/rabbit IgG"
When multiplexing with different detection systems:
For dual HRP systems:
Sequential detection with peroxide inactivation between steps
Different substrates with distinct chromogenic products
For combined HRP and other enzymes (like alkaline phosphatase):
Different substrates with non-overlapping detection wavelengths
Sequential detection protocols
Host species considerations: "This human secondary antibody is ideal for investigators who routinely perform titration assays, western-blot, immunoprecipitation and more generally immunoassays"
Isotype compatibility: Some antibodies detect specific human IgG isotypes or fragments
Signal overlap: HRP substrates may have broad emission spectra
Sequential detection requirements
Different optimal dilutions for each target: "Optimal dilutions should be determined by each laboratory for each application"
For example, a demonstrated application showed: "Detection of FoxP3 in human tonsil using 5 μg/mL of Rabbit monoclonal anti-human FoxP3 primary antibody (MAB8214) followed by 30 min incubation with Goat anti Rabbit HRP conjugated secondary antibodies (Catalog # HAF008) at 1:20 dilution + DAB chromogen (brown). The tissue was counterstained with Hematoxylin (blue)" . This demonstrates how HRP detection can be combined with counterstaining in a sequential protocol.
Epitope specificity is a critical factor determining the performance of Rabbit anti-Human IgG (HRP conjugated) antibodies:
Products vary in their epitope targeting:
"(H+L)" specificity: "Rabbit Anti-Human IgG (H+L), Highly Cross-Adsorbed" - binds both heavy and light chains
Heavy chain specific: "HRP Conjugated Rabbit Anti-human IgG (gamma-chain specific) secondary antibody"
Fragment specific: Some antibodies target only Fc or Fab regions
This specificity affects:
Cross-reactivity with other immunoglobulin classes
Binding capacity per primary antibody molecule
Potential interference from free light chains in samples
Epitope specificity influences detection in samples containing:
Rheumatoid factor: Can bridge primary and secondary antibodies
Free light chains: Present in certain disease states
Immune complexes: May block epitopes
As noted in customer inquiries: "What exactly does Anti-IgG detect? Anti-IgG detects IgG" , but the specific epitopes recognized can vary between products.
For Western blotting applications like "PARP-cleavage upon treatment with embryonic stimuli" , using antibodies specific for the correct IgG fragment ensures accurate target identification.
For IHC applications like "Detection of FoxP3 in Human Tonsil" , epitope accessibility in fixed tissues may favor certain epitope specificities.
Understanding the epitope specificity is essential for selecting the appropriate antibody, particularly for specialized applications or when working with complex samples containing various immunoglobulin fragments.
The search results indicate that most commercially available Rabbit anti-Human IgG (HRP conjugated) antibodies are polyclonal , but understanding the differences is important for research applications:
Production method: "The antiserum was developed in rabbit using the human IgG as the immunogen"
Epitope coverage: Recognize multiple epitopes on human IgG
Advantages:
Higher avidity due to recognition of multiple epitopes
More robust to minor sample variations
Often more sensitive for detection of low abundance targets
Production method: Generated from single B-cell clones (less common in rabbit systems)
Epitope coverage: Recognize a single epitope on human IgG
Advantages:
Higher specificity for particular IgG epitopes
Greater lot-to-lot consistency
May have lower background in some applications
Characteristic | Polyclonal | Monoclonal |
---|---|---|
Batch variation | Higher | Lower |
Epitope coverage | Multiple | Single |
Sensitivity | Generally higher | May require signal amplification |
Cross-reactivity | Variable, can be reduced through adsorption | Typically lower, epitope-dependent |
Storage stability | Often more robust | May be more sensitive to storage conditions |
Some products emphasize their production methodology: "This antibody is purified from antiserum by immunoaffinity chromatography which removes essentially all rabbit serum proteins, except the specific antibody for human IgG" , indicating efforts to enhance the specificity of polyclonal preparations.
Temperature and pH significantly impact both the HRP enzyme activity and antibody binding capacity:
Storage temperature recommendations:
Working temperature considerations:
Buffer pH specifications:
HRP enzyme activity:
Optimal pH range: 6.0-6.5 for maximum enzymatic activity
Substrate-dependent pH requirements
Performance declines rapidly outside pH 5-8 range
Antibody binding:
Optimal binding typically occurs at physiological pH (7.2-7.4)
Extreme pH can permanently denature antibodies
Buffer components enhance stability against temperature and pH variations:
Glycerol (50%) prevents freezing damage and enhances stability
Preservatives (0.03% Proclin-300, 0.1% Kathon) prevent microbial growth
For optimal performance, researchers should follow manufacturer storage recommendations and avoid exposing antibodies to extreme conditions, as indicated by storage instructions across multiple products.
Detecting low abundance targets requires specialized approaches to enhance signal-to-noise ratio:
Enhanced chemiluminescent systems:
Tyramide signal amplification (TSA):
Utilizes HRP to catalyze deposition of additional tyramide-HRP complexes
Can increase sensitivity 10-100 fold
Highly specific antibodies:
Optimized blocking:
Advanced washing techniques:
Increased number of washes
Extended wash durations
Addition of detergents or salt to reduce non-specific binding
Instrument sensitivity:
Substrate selection:
Enhanced chemiluminescent substrates for WB
High-sensitivity chromogenic substrates for IHC/ELISA
Dilution optimization:
These approaches are particularly relevant for applications such as detecting "cleavage (full length PARP 116kDa; cleaved PARP 89 kDa)" where both high and low abundance fragments must be visualized simultaneously.
Implementation of Rabbit anti-Human IgG (HRP conjugated) antibodies in automated and high-throughput systems requires specific considerations:
Long-term stability at working dilution:
Temperature management:
Incubation time standardization:
Wash protocols:
Buffer composition standardization
Precision in wash volumes and timing
Detection systems:
Compatible with plate readers, imaging systems
Substrate stability during automated runs
Quality control metrics:
Validation procedures:
Standard curves with known concentrations
Internal controls for normalization
Compatible detection systems:
Buffer compatibility:
For high-throughput applications like screening, consistent antibody performance across large numbers of samples is essential, making standardized protocols and careful quality control particularly important.