MDC Antibodies

MDC (Macrophage-Derived Chemokine), also known as CCL22 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 22), is a member of the CC chemokine family involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes. MDC is predominantly expressed in dendritic cells, macrophages, and activated B-cells, playing a significant role in recruiting Th2 lymphocytes through binding to the CCR4 receptor. The MDC antibody is developed to target this chemokine, enabling the study of its function in immune cell migration, particularly within the context of allergic inflammation, tumor immunology, and autoimmunity.

Technical Content of MDC Antibody

The MDC antibody is typically produced as a polyclonal or monoclonal IgG. In its monoclonal form, the antibody is generated by immunizing mice or rabbits with a synthetic peptide corresponding to human MDC, conjugated to a carrier protein for optimal antigen presentation. Following hybridoma development or recombinant expression, the antibody is purified via protein A or G affinity chromatography, resulting in a highly specific and sensitive reagent.

Application of MDC Antibody

MDC antibodies have been crucial in immunological research due to their role in detecting CCL22 in different cellular contexts. Key applications of MDC antibodies include:

Immunohistochemistry (IHC): IHC using MDC antibodies allows for the localization of MDC in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. This is particularly valuable for studying MDC expression in tumor microenvironments, as well as in inflamed tissues in conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and dermatitis. The antibody provides high specificity in detecting MDC expression in dendritic cells and macrophages within tissue architecture.

Flow Cytometry: MDC antibodies conjugated to fluorophores are employed in flow cytometry to quantify the surface expression of MDC in various cell types. This application is critical for understanding MDC-mediated immune cell recruitment in Th2-dominated responses, and for characterizing immune cell populations in pathological conditions such as allergic responses and cancers.

ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is another common application of MDC antibodies. The antibody is used in both capture and detection phases to measure soluble MDC levels in biological fluids. This method is widely adopted for monitoring MDC concentration during immune responses, therapeutic interventions, and in disease progression studies.

MDC antibodies are indispensable tools for studying the role of MDC/CCL22 in immune cell migration and function. By leveraging their high specificity and versatility across multiple platforms, researchers can explore the dynamics of inflammatory processes, tumor immunology, and autoimmune diseases.