Description

The CD8 T cell coreceptor (monomer approx. 32-34 kDa) is expressed as α/β heterodimer on majority of MHC I-restricted conventional T cells and thymocytes and as α/α homodimer on subsets of memory T cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes, NK cells and dendritic cells. Regulation of CD8 β level on T cell surface seems to be an important mechanism to control their effector function. Assembly of CD8 α-β but not α-α 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.

Biological Information