About InVivoMAb anti-mouse CD8 (Lyt 2.1)

The 116-13.1 monoclonal antibody reacts with the Lyt 2.1 allele of mouse CD8. The CD8 antigen is a transmembrane glycoprotein that acts as a co-receptor for the T cell receptor (TCR). Like the TCR CD8 binds to class I MHC molecules displayed by antigen presenting cells (APC). CD8 is primarily expressed on the surface of cytotoxic T cells but can also be found on thymocytes natural killer cells and some dendritic cell subsets. CD8 most commonly exists as a heterodimer composed of one CD8α and one CD8β chain however it can also exist as a homodimer composed of two CD8α chains. Both the CD8α and CD8β chains share significant homology to immunoglobulin variable light chains. The molecular weight of each CD8 chain is approximately 34 kDa. The 116-13.1 antibody exhibits depleting activity in NOD mice when used in vivo. This antibody does not function in C57BL/6 or BALB/c strains since these strains only express the Lyt 2.2 allele of CD8.