Clone UCHT1 vs OKT3: Which Anti-Human CD3 Antibody Should You Choose?

When selecting an anti-human CD3 monoclonal antibody, one of the most important decisions researchers face is choosing the appropriate antibody clone. Among the most widely used clones, UCHT1 and OKT3 are frequently compared.

This article provides a clear and practical CD3 antibody clone comparison, helping researchers determine whether UCHT1 or OKT3 is the better choice for their specific experimental applications.

Why CD3 Antibody Clone Selection Matters

Although UCHT1 and OKT3 both target the CD3 molecule, differences in epitope recognition, binding affinity, and functional activity can significantly influence experimental outcomes.

Choosing the right clone ensures accurate T cell identification, reliable signaling responses, and reproducible data across experiments.

Overview of UCHT1 Clone

The UCHT1 clone is one of the most commonly used anti-human CD3 antibody clones in immunology research. It recognizes an epitope within the CD3ε chain and is widely validated for analytical applications.

• Strong performance in flow cytometry (FACS)
• Reliable pan-T cell identification
• Minimal unintended T cell activation

Overview of OKT3 Clone

The OKT3 CD3 antibody clone is historically well known for its ability to bind CD3 and induce strong T cell activation. It recognizes a distinct epitope on the CD3 complex.

• Potent T cell activation capability
• Commonly used in functional stimulation assays
• Less frequently chosen for routine phenotyping

UCHT1 vs OKT3: Side-by-Side Comparison

Which CD3 Antibody Clone Should You Choose?

If your goal is accurate T cell identification and immunophenotyping, UCHT1 is typically the preferred choice. For experiments requiring robust T cell activation, OKT3 may be more suitable.

Understanding your experimental objective is the key to selecting the most appropriate CD3 antibody clone.