Benchmark CD86 Clone on a Channel that Opens Up Crowded Violet Panels

August 13, 2026

BlueskyReddit
Bioengineering
Rice University
Postdoctoral Researcher

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Company:

BD Biosciences (BD Horizon)

Product Name:

BV480 Mouse Anti-Human CD86

Catalog Number:

566131

Clone Number:

Clone 2331 (FUN-1)

Costimulatory molecule expression on human antigen-presenting cells, assessed in parallel with CD80 and with B cell subset markers, in work on immune activation in the setting of circulating tumor cells and metastasis.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Applications

Flow Cytometry

Sample

Human PBMCs, PBMC-derived B cells and monocytes, fresh, approximately one million cells per test in 100 µL of cold FACS buffer.

Primary Incubation

5 µL per test as supplied (100 tests, 0.5 mL), in FACS buffer, 20–30 minutes at 4 °C in the dark, two washes.

Blocking Agent

Human TruStain FcX, 5 µL per test, 10 minutes at 4 °C prior to staining.

Secondary Incubation

N/A — directly conjugated primary.

Tertiary Incubation

N/A.

Detection

Flow cytometry, BV480 excited off the 405 nm violet laser, collected in the ~480 nm violet detector. Analysis in FlowJo.

Results Summary

2331 (FUN-1) is the standard human CD86 clone and the specificity is exactly what its reputation predicts — clean positive/negative separation on monocytes and activated B cells, with a tight negative population. The interesting part of this product is the fluorophore placement. BV480 sits at the blue end of the violet-laser channels, which in most panels is less contested than the 421 or 605 positions, so it gave us somewhere to put a well-expressed marker without displacing anything. Brightness is good but not extreme, which suits CD86 on populations where it is well expressed; on very low expressors we would reach for a brighter option. Staining was reproducible between tube and plate format and required no optimization beyond confirming the stated test volume.

Additional Notes

BV480 has notable spillover into the neighboring violet detectors and into some blue-laser channels, so run proper single-stain compensation rather than relying on a stored matrix — this is the main practical demand of the reagent. Use a Brilliant Stain Buffer when combining with other polymer dyes. Store at 2–8 °C protected from light, do not freeze.

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Summary

The Good

Gold-standard CD86 clone with clean separation, and BV480 opens up a usually-underused violet channel for panel design.

The Bad

Meaningful spillover requires attentive compensation, and it is mid-brightness rather than a top-tier bright dye.

The Bottom Line

Buy this when you need CD86 and your bright violet channels are already spoken for — it does the job and frees up real estate.

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