CD1a FITC

The clone OKT6, a mouse monoclonal antibody selectively recognizes 49-kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein non-covalently associated with β2-microglobulin known as CD1a. The CD1a glycoprotein has structural similarities to MHC class I molecule and plays important role in antigen-presenting mechanism to T-cell receptors present on NK T-cells. It is expressed on cortical double positive and single positive thymocytes, Langerhans cells, and dendritic cells. In addition to antigen presentation NK T-cells, CD1a has been implicated in thymic T cell development. CD1a has been used as a marker for DCs in a range of human tumors and the density of CD1a DC has been associated with clinical outcome in patients with lung, colon, gastric, nasopharyngeal, laryngeal and tongue carcinomas.