The CD45 / LCA antibody is an indispensable tool in immunology and pathology research, particularly for identifying B-cells. As a marker for the PTPRC gene product, this antibody holds immense value in diagnostic, therapeutic, and research applications, with its high specificity and reliability. Its use spans various fields, including oncology, autoimmune diseases, and cellular signaling studies.
Molecular Biology of CD45
The CD45 molecule, encoded by the PTPRC gene, is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a vital role in the regulation of immune cell signaling. The extracellular domain of CD45 interacts with multiple ligands, while the intracellular domain exhibits tyrosine phosphatase activity, critical for T-cell and B-cell receptor signaling.
- CD45 has a well-documented role in lymphocyte activation, as discussed in studies at NIH PubMed.
- It is vital for dephosphorylation of key kinases such as Lck and Fyn, which are involved in T-cell receptor signaling pathways (NIH).
Clinical and Research Applications
Diagnostic Value
CD45 antibodies are extensively used in immunohistochemistry (IHC) and flow cytometry to distinguish lymphoid neoplasms from non-lymphoid malignancies. This makes them invaluable in identifying:
- Lymphomas: Differentiating Hodgkin from non-Hodgkin lymphomas (National Cancer Institute (NCI)).
- Leukemias: Identifying leukocyte-specific malignancies in bone marrow and peripheral blood (FDA).
Autoimmune Disease Studies
Abnormal CD45 expression is linked to autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The antibody aids in:
- Assessing immune dysregulation in autoimmune diseases (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)).
Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
CD45 serves as a negative selection marker to isolate hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for transplantation or research. Learn more from the National Institutes of Health Stem Cell Research.
Cancer Immunotherapy
CD45 has gained attention as a target for monoclonal antibody therapies aimed at enhancing immune responses against tumors. Studies on CD45-targeting therapies can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Technical Specifications and Laboratory Usage
- Concentration: 0.2mg/mL, providing optimal performance in flow cytometry and IHC.
- Clonality: Monoclonal antibody with specificity to the B-cell CD45 isoform.
- Applications: Suitable for:
- Western blotting: Detecting CD45 isoforms in cell lysates (CDC Guidelines).
- Flow Cytometry: Characterizing leukocyte subpopulations (Flow Cytometry Resource Database).
- Immunohistochemistry: Differentiating hematopoietic tumors from carcinomas (NIH Pathology Resources).
CD45 Isoforms and Differential Expression
CD45 exists in multiple isoforms generated through alternative splicing, including CD45RA, CD45RB, and CD45RO. Each isoform serves as a marker for different stages of immune cell differentiation:
- CD45RA: Expressed on naive T-cells and mature B-cells (NCI Resources).
- CD45RO: Found on memory T-cells, indicative of antigen-experienced lymphocytes (NCBI Gene Database).
The presence of these isoforms can help identify specific immune responses in diseases such as HIV and autoimmune disorders (NIAID).
Protocol Optimization and Troubleshooting
Immunohistochemistry
- Use antigen retrieval techniques to enhance antibody binding (CDC Laboratory Best Practices).
- Optimize antibody dilution to reduce background staining (NIH Protocol Database).
Flow Cytometry
- Properly titrate the antibody to minimize false positives. Refer to the Flow Cytometry Troubleshooting Guide.


