Invitrogen™ CD1a Monoclonal Antibody (O10)

CD1a is a non-polymorphic MHC Class 1 related cell surface glycoprotein, expressed in association with Beta 2 microglobulin. CD1a is expressed by cortical thymocytes, Langerhan's cells and by interdigitating cells. CD1a is also expressed by some malignancies of T cell lineage and in histiocytosis X. CD1a is expressed on cortical thymocytes, epidermal Langerhans cells, dendritic cells, on certain T-cell leukemias, and in various other tissues. CD1a is structurally related to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins and form heterodimers with beta-2-microglobulin. The CD1 proteins mediate the presentation of primarily lipid and glycolipid antigens of self or microbial origin to T cells. The human genome contains five CD1 family genes organized in a cluster on chromosome 1. The CD1 family members are thought to differ in their cellular localization and specificity for particular lipid ligands. CD1a localizes to the plasma membrane and recycles vesicles of the early endocytic system. At least five CD1 genes (CD1a, b, c, d, and e) are identified. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of CD1a have been observed, but their biological validity have not been determined.