PE Rabbit anti-Rat CD8a mAb

CD8a, a 32 kDa glycoprotein also known as T8, Lyt2, Ly-2, and CD8α, is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is expressed on most thymocytes, subsets of mature T cells, the majority of NK cells, macrophages, and some activated (non-resting) CD4+ T cells. CD8a forms a heterodimer with the CD8β chain (CD8b) on the surface of most thymocytes. In contrast, mature peripheral T lymphocytes predominantly express the CD8 αβ heterodimer. Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes express CD8a but lack CD8b expression. CD8 functions as an antigen co-receptor on T cells, interacting with Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules on antigen-presenting cells or epithelial cells. CD8 participates in T cell activation by associating with the T cell receptor (TCR) complex and the protein tyrosine kinase lck (p56lck).