Description
CD3ε is a 20 kD transmembrane protein, also known as CD3 or T3. It is a member of the Ig superfamily and primarily expressed on T cells, NK-T cells, and at different levels on thymocytes during T cell differentiation. CD3ε forms a TCR complex by associating with the CD3δ, γ and ζ chains, as well as the TCR α/β or γ/δ chains. CD3 plays a critical role in TCR signal transduction, T cell activation, and antigen recognition by binding the peptide/MHC antigen complex.
Application Notes
Clone 145-2C11 is useful for in vitro blocking of target-specific CTL-mediated cell lysis1, as well as T cell activation assays, inducing proliferation and cytokine production1,2,7,12,16. It also induces apoptosis in immature thymocytes32, and in vivo T cell depletion8-10. Additional reported applications (for relevant formats of this clone) include: immunoprecipitation1, immunohistochemical staining14,15 of acetone-fixed frozen sections and zinc-fixed paraffin-embedded sections, Western blotting4, complement-mediated cytotoxicity6, in vitro and in vivo stimulation of T cells1,2,7,12,16, immunofluorescent staining5, and in vivo T cell depletion8-10. The 145-2C11 antibody has been reported to block the binding of 17A2 antibody to CD3 epsilon-specific T cells11. Clone 145-2C11 is not recommended for formalin-fixed paraffin embedded sections. The LEAF™ purified antibody (Endotoxin <0.1 EU/µg, Azide-Free, 0.2 µm filtered) is recommended for functional assays (Cat. No. 100314). For in vivo studies or highly sensitive assays, we recommend Ultra-LEAF™ purified antibody (Cat. No. 100340) with a lower endotoxin limit than standard LEAF™ purified antibodies (Endotoxin <0.01 EU/µg).