CD8A Antibody

Cluster of Differentiation 8 is a cell surface receptor expressed either as a heterodimer with the beta chain or as a homodimer. A majority of thymocytes and a subpopulation of mature Tcells and NK cells express CD8a. It binds to MHC class 1 and through its association with protein tyrosine kinase p56lck plays a role in Tcell development and activation of mature Tcells. For mature Tcells, CD4 and 8 are mutually exclusive, so antibody to CD8 is generally used in conjunction with antibody to CD4.