Beckman Coulter Adds Two New IOTest^® Reagents for Natural Killer (NK) Cell Studies

Beckman Coulter, Inc., has introduced two new IOTest^® reagents – Anti-NTB-A-PE and CD226 (DNAM-1)-PE. Both are monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to cell surface receptors for NK (natural killer) cell studies, which provide important information in disease research. These new flow cytometry reagents are compatible with Beckman Coulter’s FC 500 series and Cell Lab Quanta™ SC systems as well as other instrument platforms.

NK cells are known to discriminate between normal and virus-infected or tumour cells and they express different types of cell surface functional receptors. Inhibitory NK receptors detect surface molecules specifically expressed on normal cells and they transmit signals that spare these cells from attack. Activating NK receptors detect surface molecules that are upregulated in virus-infected and tumour cells but powerless in normal cells.

The IOTest Anti-NTB-A-PE reacts with a member of a newly discovered family of NK receptors called SLAM (signalling lymphocyte activation molecule), which are important functional receptors in lymphocytes and other leukocytes.

In certain cases of NTB-A expression, downstream mechanisms are thought to be involved in induction of T cell costimulation and in regulation of B cell tolerance. IOTest CD226 (DNAM-1)-PE recognises a putative cell-corruption surveillance receptor in NK and cytotoxic T lymphocyte cells. It may also play a role in transendothelial cell migration.

“Beckman Coulter is the leader in NK cell reagents and we have the reference mAbs to characterize these fascinating cellular immunity players,” explained Michel Herbert, research reagents marketing manager for Beckman Coulter. “In addition, our conjugated reagents are among the highest quality available, delivering virtually no background for enhanced research confidence.”

These two new antibodies complete Beckman Coulter’s NK-targeted mAb family. The preformulated, standardized IOTest Anti-NTB-A-PE and CD226 (DNAM-1)-PE antibodies are provided in 50-test vials and are labelled for research use only.