These antibodies are typically prepared through a multi-step process:
Immunization: Rabbits are immunized with human IgG whole molecule as the immunogen
Purification: The antibodies are purified from rabbit antiserum using immunoaffinity chromatography with human IgG coupled to agarose beads
Additional purification: Solid phase adsorption(s) may be performed to remove unwanted reactivities
Conjugation: The purified antibodies are conjugated with FITC (Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate) under optimal conditions
This process yields antibodies with a typical fluorophore/protein ratio of approximately 7.5 μg FITC per mg of antibody, or 2.8 moles of FITC per mole of IgG .
These antibodies are validated for multiple applications including:
The versatility of these conjugates makes them suitable for numerous immunodetection protocols in research settings .
To maintain optimal activity, Rabbit anti-Human IgG Fc FITC antibodies require specific storage conditions:
Storage temperature: 4°C for short-term (weeks) or -20°C for long-term storage
Protect from light: FITC is sensitive to photobleaching, requiring storage in dark conditions
Avoid freeze-thaw cycles: Repeated freezing and thawing should be avoided
Formulation: Often supplied as lyophilized powder requiring reconstitution or as liquid in buffer containing preservatives
Extended shelf-life: Adding glycerol to a final concentration of 50% can extend shelf-life when stored at -20°C
After reconstitution or dilution, these antibodies should ideally be used within 24 hours for optimal performance .
Optimizing signal-to-noise ratio requires a systematic approach:
Sample preparation:
Use freshly prepared 4% paraformaldehyde for fixation
Implement thorough blocking (5% BSA in PBS or 10% serum from the same species as the secondary antibody)
Include 0.1-0.3% Triton X-100 for permeabilization when detecting intracellular antigens
Antibody optimization:
Washing protocols:
Implement stringent washing (at least 3 × 5 minutes) with PBS-T (PBS + 0.05% Tween-20)
Include a high-salt wash step (PBS with 500mM NaCl) to reduce non-specific ionic interactions
Mounting considerations:
Use anti-fade mounting media containing DAPI for nuclear counterstaining
Seal slides with nail polish to prevent drying and oxidation
Microscopy settings:
These strategies collectively enhance specific signal while minimizing background fluorescence .
A comprehensive experimental design should include these essential controls:
Isotype control:
FITC-conjugated rabbit IgG of the same isotype but lacking specificity for human IgG
Controls for non-specific binding of the antibody constant region
Secondary antibody-only control:
Samples processed identically but without primary antibody
Identifies background from non-specific secondary antibody binding
Blocking validation:
Pre-incubation of the antibody with purified human IgG
Should abolish specific staining while leaving non-specific background unchanged
Positive control:
Negative control:
Tissues or cells known not to express human IgG
Identifies false positive signals
Spectral controls:
Samples labeled with individual fluorophores when performing multiplex experiments
Essential for compensation in flow cytometry or correction of spectral overlap in microscopy
These controls enable confident interpretation of experimental results by distinguishing specific from non-specific signals .
Several critical factors influence binding efficiency:
Epitope accessibility:
Sample-related factors:
pH of incubation buffer (optimal range typically 7.2-7.4)
Ionic strength of solutions affects antibody-antigen interactions
Presence of detergents may enhance or inhibit binding
Blocking reagents can interfere with specific binding if used at excessive concentrations
Antibody-related factors:
Experimental conditions:
Temperature (4°C for reduced non-specific binding, room temperature for faster kinetics)
Incubation time (longer for dilute antibodies or challenging samples)
Washing stringency affects signal-to-noise ratio
Technical considerations:
Understanding these factors enables researchers to optimize protocols for specific experimental requirements .
Multiplexing strategies with FITC-conjugated antibodies require careful planning:
Spectral considerations:
Sequential staining approach:
Use primary antibodies from different host species
Apply species-specific secondary antibodies sequentially
Include blocking steps between sequences to prevent cross-reactivity
Direct conjugate multiplexing:
Tyramide signal amplification (TSA):
Compatible with FITC-conjugated antibodies
Allows multiple antibodies from same species to be used sequentially
Requires HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies and FITC-tyramide
Technical considerations:
Implement proper compensation controls in flow cytometry
Use linear unmixing for confocal microscopy with spectral detection
Consider photobleaching rates during sequential imaging
These approaches enable simultaneous detection of multiple targets, increasing the information obtained from a single specimen .
A systematic approach to validation and troubleshooting includes:
Specificity validation:
Western blot with purified human IgG should show bands at ~50kDa (heavy chain)
Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry can confirm target identity
Cross-adsorption testing against other immunoglobulin classes confirms Fc specificity
Immunoelectrophoresis should show a single precipitin arc against human IgG
High background troubleshooting:
Weak signal troubleshooting:
Verify antibody activity with a dot blot of purified human IgG
Optimize fixation protocol (overfixation can mask epitopes)
Implement antigen retrieval for FFPE samples
Increase antibody concentration or incubation time
Check for photobleaching of FITC during long imaging sessions
Cross-reactivity assessment:
Test against purified immunoglobulins from different species
Validate against tissues from IgG-knockout models if available
Pre-adsorb antibody with potential cross-reactive proteins
Instrument validation:
Verify proper function of excitation (492nm) and emission (520nm) filters
Check laser/light source intensity
Use calibration beads to validate instrument performance
These validation steps ensure experimental reliability and facilitate troubleshooting when issues arise .
For quantitative flow cytometry applications:
Standardization requirements:
Use calibration beads with known quantities of fluorochrome
Convert fluorescence intensity to Molecules of Equivalent Soluble Fluorochrome (MESF)
Determine antibody binding capacity using standards with known quantities of target molecules
Optimization for quantitative analysis:
Data analysis considerations:
Apply appropriate compensation for spectral overlap
Use median fluorescence intensity (MFI) rather than mean for non-normal distributions
Convert raw fluorescence to absolute numbers using calibration curves
Account for autofluorescence with unstained controls
Limitations and considerations:
FITC brightness is pH-sensitive (optimal at pH ≥7.4)
Photobleaching during extended sample handling can affect quantitation
F/P ratio variations between lots affect signal intensity
Standard curves should be generated for each experimental session
Advanced techniques:
Quantum dot calibration for enhanced quantitation precision
Comparison of surface IgG levels between different cell populations
Kinetic measurements of antibody binding
These approaches enable robust quantitative analysis of human IgG expression in research samples .
Rabbit anti-Human IgG Fc antibodies specifically recognize and bind to the constant (Fc) region of human immunoglobulin G. These antibodies react with the heavy chains of human IgG but not with the light chains on most human immunoglobulins . Immunoelectrophoresis testing typically shows a single precipitin arc against anti-Fluorescein, anti-Rabbit Serum, Human IgG, and Human Serum . Most preparations do not cross-react with human IgM, IgA, or non-immunoglobulin serum proteins, though some cross-reactivity with immunoglobulins from other species may occur . Clone-specific differences in reactivity exist - for example, clone M1310G05 demonstrates stronger affinity for IgG1 and IgG3 than for IgG2 and IgG4 .
FITC (Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate) is a small fluorescent molecule that is covalently attached to the antibody protein through reaction with primary amines. These conjugates have specific spectral properties:
Property | Specification |
---|---|
Excitation maximum | 492 nm |
Emission maximum | 520 nm |
Optimal F/P ratio | 2.8 moles FITC per mole IgG |
Fluorophore/Protein | 7.5 μg FITC per mg antibody |
The fluorescence emission appears green when visualized by fluorescence microscopy with appropriate filter sets . The conjugation process is carefully controlled to maintain antibody functionality while providing sufficient fluorescence signal. Over-conjugation (too many FITC molecules per antibody) can adversely affect antibody binding capacity, while under-conjugation results in weak fluorescence signals .
These antibodies are validated for multiple immunological techniques:
Application | Recommended Dilution | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Flow Cytometry (FACS) | 1:500 - 1:2,500 | Detection of cell surface or intracellular human IgG |
Fluorescence Microscopy (IF) | 1:1,000 - 1:5,000 | Visualization of human IgG in tissues/cells |
FLISA | 1:10,000 - 1:50,000 | Microplate-based fluorescent immunoassays |
Dot Blot | Varies by manufacturer | Rapid protein detection on membranes |
IHC-P | Varies by manufacturer | Human IgG detection in paraffin sections |
The antibodies perform well in these applications because of their high specificity for human IgG and the bright fluorescence signal provided by the FITC conjugate . Each application requires specific optimization of antibody concentration, incubation conditions, and detection parameters.
To preserve the functional and fluorescent properties of Rabbit anti-Human IgG Fc FITC antibodies:
Store at 4°C for short-term (weeks) or -20°C for long-term storage
Protect from light exposure using amber tubes or aluminum foil wrapping
Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can denature the antibody protein
For lyophilized products, reconstitute with the recommended volume of distilled water (typically to 1.5 mg/mL)
After reconstitution, centrifuge if the solution is not completely clear
For extended shelf-life, add glycerol to 50% final concentration and store at -20°C
Use reconstituted antibody within several weeks if stored at 4°C as an undiluted liquid
After dilution for working solutions, use within 24 hours for optimal performance
These storage and handling practices are critical for maintaining both the immunological specificity and fluorescent properties of the conjugate .
Optimizing signal-to-noise ratio requires systematic protocol refinement:
Sample preparation optimization:
Use gentle fixation methods (2-4% PFA for 10-15 minutes) to preserve epitope accessibility
Implement thorough permeabilization for intracellular targets (0.1-0.3% Triton X-100)
Block with 5% BSA in PBS or 10% serum from the same species as the secondary antibody
Include 0.1% Tween-20 in blocking buffers to reduce hydrophobic interactions
Antibody titration:
Advanced washing strategies:
Increase number of washes (minimum 3×5 minutes)
Include detergent (0.05-0.1% Tween-20) in wash buffers
Consider high-salt wash steps (500mM NaCl) to disrupt non-specific ionic interactions
Use gentle agitation during washing to enhance removal of unbound antibody
Mounting and imaging considerations:
Use anti-fade mounting media containing DAPI for nuclear counterstaining
Implement appropriate excitation (492nm) and emission (520nm) filter sets
Adjust exposure times to minimize photobleaching while maintaining adequate signal
Consider deconvolution algorithms to enhance signal-to-noise ratio post-acquisition
These strategies collectively minimize background while preserving specific fluorescence signals .
Understanding the molecular interactions between these antibodies and their targets is crucial for experimental design:
Structural basis of recognition:
The Fc region of human IgG contains conserved domains (CH2 and CH3)
Rabbit anti-Human IgG Fc antibodies recognize conformational epitopes within these domains
Recognition is largely independent of the variable regions or antigen binding sites
FITC conjugation typically occurs on lysine residues away from antigen-binding sites
Impact on experimental design:
Sample preparation must preserve the native conformation of the Fc domain
Harsh fixation or denaturing conditions can disrupt epitope recognition
Polyclonal preparations recognize multiple epitopes, providing signal amplification
Monoclonal antibodies like clone M1310G05 target specific epitopes with subclass preferences
Binding kinetics considerations:
Binding affinity affects optimal incubation times and temperatures
Higher-affinity antibodies may require shorter incubation periods
Temperature affects both reaction kinetics and potential non-specific interactions
Room temperature incubation accelerates binding but may increase background
Cross-reactivity management:
Understanding these molecular interactions enables rational optimization of immunodetection protocols .
Robust experimental design requires multiple controls:
Isotype controls:
FITC-conjugated rabbit IgG lacking specificity for human IgG
Controls for non-specific binding through Fc receptors or hydrophobic interactions
Should be used at the same concentration as the specific antibody
Blocking validation controls:
Pre-incubation of antibody with purified human IgG
Should abolish specific staining while leaving background unchanged
Competitive inhibition confirms binding specificity
Cellular/tissue controls:
Technical controls:
Autofluorescence control: Unstained sample to establish baseline fluorescence
Single-stain controls: Essential for compensation in multicolor flow cytometry
Fluorescence-minus-one (FMO) controls: For accurate gating in flow cytometry
Antibody validation controls:
These controls collectively ensure experimental reliability and facilitate accurate interpretation of results .
Multiplexing strategies require careful consideration of spectral properties and antibody compatibility:
Spectral multiplexing approaches:
FITC (excitation: 492nm, emission: 520nm) can be combined with spectrally distinct fluorophores
Compatible fluorophores include TRITC/Texas Red (red), Cy5 (far-red), and DAPI (blue)
Modern flow cytometers can resolve FITC from PE, PE-Cy5, APC, and other fluorophores
Confocal microscopy with spectral detection enables separation of overlapping emissions
Multi-epitope detection strategies:
Combine with primary antibodies from different host species
Use species-specific secondary antibodies with different fluorophores
Implement sequential staining with blocking between steps to prevent cross-reactivity
Tyramide signal amplification (TSA) allows multiple antibodies from same species
Technical considerations for flow cytometry:
Advanced imaging multiplexing:
Sequential imaging to minimize photobleaching of sensitive fluorophores
Linear unmixing algorithms for separating overlapping emission spectra
Consider antibody stripping and re-probing for highly multiplexed imaging
Automated image analysis for colocalization quantification
These approaches enable simultaneous detection of multiple targets, maximizing the information obtained from limited samples .
These antibodies are finding utility in innovative research applications:
Super-resolution microscopy:
FITC conjugates are compatible with structured illumination microscopy (SIM)
Can be used in stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy with appropriate imaging parameters
Direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) applications require special buffers
Resolution improvements from ~250nm to ~20-100nm enable visualization of nanoscale structures
Microfluidic and single-cell applications:
Integration with microfluidic antibody capture assays
Single-cell secretion profiling using antibody-coated surfaces
Droplet-based single-cell analysis systems for high-throughput screening
Correlation of surface IgG expression with transcriptomic profiles
In vivo imaging applications:
Near-infrared derivatives for deeper tissue penetration
Conjugation to nanoparticles for multimodal imaging
Intravital microscopy of antibody-producing cells in living organisms
Correlative light and electron microscopy using FITC pre-embedding
Quantitative applications:
Standardized beads for absolute quantification of surface IgG expression
Quantum dot calibration for enhanced precision
Automated image analysis algorithms for objective quantification
Machine learning approaches for complex pattern recognition
These emerging applications demonstrate the continued utility of these antibodies in pushing the boundaries of immunological research .
A structured troubleshooting approach should address multiple potential issues:
Antibody quality assessment:
Protocol parameter optimization:
Fixation: Test multiple fixatives and durations to preserve epitope accessibility
Blocking: Evaluate different blocking agents (BSA, serum, commercial blockers)
Incubation conditions: Compare room temperature vs. 4°C, different durations
Washing stringency: Assess buffer composition, number and duration of washes
Sample-related troubleshooting:
Autofluorescence mitigation: Test sodium borohydride or Sudan Black treatment
Fc receptor blocking: Include normal rabbit IgG to block Fc receptors
Endogenous biotin blocking: Use avidin/biotin blocking kits if required
Antigen retrieval: Evaluate heat-induced or enzymatic retrieval methods
Instrument and detection troubleshooting:
Antibody-specific issues:
Cross-reactivity: Test on negative control samples to assess specificity
Lot variation: Compare performance between lot numbers
Storage degradation: Verify proper storage conditions were maintained
Antibody concentration: Perform systematic titration experiments
This systematic approach ensures identification and resolution of technical issues affecting experimental reliability .