Description
The BC4 antibody reacts with the high-affinity IgE Fc receptor (FcεRI) expressed in rat mast cells, basophils, and non-B non-T cells. The rat FcεRI is expressed as a tetrameric molecule consisting of one α chain, one β chain, and two identical γ chains. The BC4 antibody has been reported to detect all three chains of the FcεRI by immunoprecipitation. In the rat model, the β chain (FcRβ) is required for cell-surface expression of the complete FcεRI. This differs from the human FcεRI, which can be expressed in trimer (αγ2) or tetramer forms (βγ2). Furthermore, the FcRβ has been characterized as a potent signaling molecule capable of substantially amplifying Fc-mediated cellular responses. The FcεRI functions to mediate cellular degranulation and the release of histamine, leukotrienes, and various cytokines and chemokines. The structure, expression, function, and signaling mechanisms of the FcεRI have been reviewed.
BD® CompBeads can be used as surrogates to assess fluorescence spillover (compensation). When fluorochrome conjugated antibodies are bound to BD® CompBeads, they have spectral properties very similar to cells. However, for some fluorochromes there can be small differences in spectral emissions compared to cells, resulting in spillover values that differ when compared to biological controls. It is strongly recommended that when using a reagent for the first time, users compare the spillover on cells and BD® CompBeads to ensure that BD® CompBeads are appropriate for your specific cellular application.
Store undiluted at 4°C and protected from prolonged exposure to light. Do not freeze. The monoclonal antibody was purified from tissue culture supernatant or ascites by affinity chromatography. The antibody was conjugated to the dye under optimum conditions that minimize unconjugated dye and antibody.
1. When using high concentrations of antibody, background binding of this dye to erythroid fragments produced by ammonium chloride-based lysis, such as with BD Pharm Lyse™ Lysing Buffer (Cat. No. 555899), has been observed when the antibody conjugate was present during the lysis procedure. This may cause nonspecific staining of target cells, such as leukocytes, which have bound the resulting erythroid fragments. This background can be mitigated by any of the following: titrating the antibody conjugate to a lower concentration, fixing samples with formaldehyde, or removing erythrocytes before staining (eg, gradient centrifugation or pre-lysis with wash). This background has not been observed when cells were lysed with BD FACS™ Lysing Solution (Cat. No. 349202) after staining.
2. Researchers should determine the optimal concentration of this reagent for their individual applications.
3. The production process underwent stringent testing and validation to assure that it generates a high-quality conjugate with consistent performance and specific binding activity. However, verification testing has not been performed on all conjugate lots.
4. Please refer to www.bdbiosciences.com/us/s/resources for technical protocols.
5. Please observe the following precautions: Absorption of visible light can significantly alter the energy transfer occurring in any tandem fluorochrome conjugate; therefore, we recommend that special precautions be taken (such as wrapping vials, tubes, or racks in aluminum foil) to prevent exposure of conjugated reagents, including cells stained with those reagents, to room illumination.
6. An isotype control should be used at the same concentration as the antibody of interest.
7. Caution: Sodium azide yields highly toxic hydrazoic acid under acidic conditions. Dilute azide compounds in running water before discarding to avoid accumulation of potentially explosive deposits in plumbing.
8. Please refer to http://regdocs.bd.com to access safety data sheets (SDS).
9. For fluorochrome spectra and suitable instrument settings, please refer to our Multicolor Flow Cytometry web page at www.bdbiosciences.com/colors.
10. Since applications vary, each investigator should titrate the reagent to obtain optimal results.
11. Cy is a trademark of Global Life Sciences Solutions Germany GmbH or an affiliate doing business as Cytiva.
