The rat anti-mouse CD49b monoclonal antibody (clone DX5) specifically binds to the integrin α2 chain (CD49b). CD49b is a 150 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that non-covalently associates with CD29 (integrin β1) to form the integrin α2β1 complex known as VLA-2. The rat anti-mouse CD49b antibody (clone DX5) has been reported to identify the majority of NK cells and a small T-cell subpopulation in most mouse strains (e.g., A/J, AKR, BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6, C57BL/10, C57BR, C58, CBA/Ca, DBA/1, DBA/2, SJL, SWR, 129/J, but not NOD). The DX5 antibody also recognizes platelets that express high levels of CD49b. Multiparameter flow cytometric analysis has demonstrated that most lymphocytes which express NK-1.1 (NKR-P1B and NKR-P1C), as detectable by mouse anti-mouse NK-1.1 antibody (clone PK136), also express the DX5 antigen. Small DX5+ NK-1.1- and DX5- NK-1.1+ cell subsets are found, especially among the CD3-positive cell population. Some CD49b+ NK cells have been reported to gradually lose reactivity with the rat anti-mouse CD49b antibody (clone DX5) when cultured in the presence of recombinant human IL-2. The resulting DX5-negative cells have weakened cytotoxic activity when compared to the remaining DX5+ cells. This indicates that the DX5 antibody distinguishes functional subsets of NK cells. No activation or blocking activity of the rat anti-mouse antibody (clone DX5) has been observed. Staining of splenic NK cells with this antibody reportedly can be blocked by hamster anti-mouse CD49b antibody (clone HMα2).
This antibody is routinely tested by flow cytometric analysis. Other applications were tested at BD Biosciences Pharmingen during antibody development only or reported in the literature.