Description
The 6C9 monoclonal antibody specifically recognizes human and mouse Complement component 3 (C3) and its multifunctional C3b and iC3b fragments. C3 is a ~190 kDa plasma glycoprotein that functions as a key component of the classical, alternative and lectin complement activation pathways. Active C3 fragments participate in innate and adaptive immune responses that eliminate pathogens, dying cells, and immune complexes from the body. C3 is produced by hepatocytes, mast cells, and leucocytes including some monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells (DC), and T cells. As a result of complement activation, eg, initiated by an antigen-antibody immune complex in the classical pathway, biologically active C3b fragments can be cleaved from C3 by enzymatic C3 convertases. C3b can function as an opsonin by binding covalently via its reactive thioester to the surfaces of target cells, including microbes. C3b can also bind to antigen-antibody immune complexes. Macrophages and neutrophils can recognize and bind to C3b by their complement receptors, such as Complement Receptor 1 (CR1, CD35), which enhances their phagocytosis of C3b-bound target cells or immune complexes. Opsonization of target surfaces, including the cell surfaces of pathogenic organisms, infected or tumor cells, through C3b deposition is central to all three pathways of complement activation during innate or adaptive immune responses. C3b can also associate with other components of the complement system to form a C5 convertase. This complex cleaves C5 into the C5a anaphylatoxin and C5b which initiates formation of the of the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC) that can form holes in target cell membranes leading to cell lysis. C3b can be further cleaved into iC3b by factor I protease and its cofactors. The iC3b fragment serves as a ligand for engaging lymphoid and phagocytic cells via various receptors including CR2 (CD21), CR3 (CD11b/CD18), CR4 (CD11c/CD18), and CRIg.
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. Please refer to www.bdbiosciences.com/us/s/resources for technical protocols.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. For fluorochrome spectra and suitable instrument settings, please refer to our Multicolor Flow Cytometry web page at www.bdbiosciences.com/colors.
5. An isotype control should be used at the same concentration as the antibody of interest.
6. 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.
7. Researchers should determine the optimal concentration of this reagent for their individual applications.
8. Please refer to http://regdocs.bd.com to access safety data sheets (SDS).
