Anti-Rat CD8a Low Endotoxin Antibody (Clone : OX-8)

The CD8a (CD8 alpha) subunit of CD8 T cell coreceptor is expressed in CD8 alpha/beta heterodimers on majority of MHC I-restricted conventional T cells and thymocytes and in CD8 alpha/alpha homodimers on subsets of memory T cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes, NK cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. Regulation of CD8 beta level on T cell surface seems to be an important mechanism to control their effector function. Assembly of CD8 alpha/beta but not alpha/alpha dimers is connected with formation or localization to the lipid rafts. Recruiting triggered TCR complexes to these membrane microdomains as well as affinity of TCR to MHC I is modulated by CD8, thereby affecting the functional diversity of the TCR signaling. Specificity : The mouse monoclonal antibody OX-8 recognizes the hinge-like membrane-proximal extracellular domain of rat CD8a (32-34 kDa; alpha chain of the CD8 antigen) .