Rabbit Anti-CD8a Monoclonal Antibody for Flow Cytometry - P01732

Core Product Specifications and Parameters

Biological Background: CD8a Function and Localization

• CD8a (T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain) is a transmembrane protein also known as T-lymphocyte differentiation antigen T8/Leu-2. It is encoded by the CD8A gene (Gene ID: 925) and plays a pivotal role in adaptive immunity.
• In T-cells, CD8a functions as a co-receptor for MHC class I molecules. It simultaneously binds the T-cell receptor (TCR) and MHC class I on antigen-presenting cells, leading to the recruitment of the tyrosine kinase LCK. This initiates intracellular signaling cascades that promote cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activation, cytokine production, and target cell elimination.
• CD8 can exist as a disulfide-linked heterodimer with CD8b (alpha/beta) or as a CD8a homodimer. The homodimeric form is found on subsets of natural killer (NK) cells, memory T-cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells.
• In NK cells, CD8a homodimers facilitate conjugation with and lysis of target cells, and promote the survival and differentiation of activated lymphocytes into memory CD8 T-cells.
• Subcellularly, CD8a localizes to the cell membrane and is also secreted. It contains signal peptide, transmembrane, and immunoglobulin-like domains.
• Post-translational modifications include glycosylation, palmitoylation, and intramolecular disulfide bond formation, which are essential for its stability and function.
• Tissue expression: on thymus-derived T-cells usually as the alpha/beta heterodimer; on plasmacytoid dendritic cells upon herpes simplex virus-1 stimulation; and on various immune cell subsets as homodimers.

Experimental Guidance and Technical Tips

• This antibody is directly conjugated to , eliminating the need for a secondary antibody in flow cytometry workflows. Include appropriate isotype controls and live/dead discrimination in your panel.
• Prepare single-cell suspensions from fresh or properly cryopreserved human or cynomolgus monkey samples. Fc receptor blocking is recommended to reduce non-specific binding.
• The immunogen corresponds to the extracellular domain (amino acids 22–182), ensuring recognition of the native membrane-bound form. Validate specificity using known positive (e.g., human PBMCs) and negative cell populations.
• The reported multiple protein weights (21, 25, 30 kDa) likely reflect differential glycosylation or isoforms. Confirm the expected band pattern in your target cell type when using complementary techniques like Western blotting.
• While primarily designed for flow cytometry, cross‑application suitability (e.g., ICC, IHC) may be feasible; pilot testing under your specific conditions is advised.

CamelBio: Your One-Stop Sourcing Bridge

CamelBio is a dedicated one‑stop sourcing partner for IVD raw materials, serving diagnostic manufacturers, research labs, and clinical institutions worldwide. For CD8a‑related immuno‑oncology and immune profiling applications, we can supply validated antibody pairs, optimized monoclonal/polyclonal antibodies, and bulk ancillary reagents. Whether you need ready‑to‑use conjugated antibodies or support in sourcing rare‑target raw materials, CamelBio streamlines your development pipeline from concept to clinic.