Ultra-LEAF™ Purified anti-human CD48 Antibody, CD48, W20019A,BioLegend,947103

CD48, also known as SLAMF2, is one of the members of the CD2 subfamily. CD48 is a GPI-anchored membrane protein containing two Ig-like C2 type domains and is widely expressed on both resting and activated hematopoietic cells with the exception of granulocytes, platelets, and erythrocytes. CD48 surface expression is elevated upon viral infection. Engagement of SLAMF4 (CD244) by a natural ligand, CD48, leads to cell-mediated cytotoxicity and IFN-γ secretion by NK cells via the adaptor protein, SAP. While CD48-expressing tumors were efficiently eliminated by NK cells in SLAMF4-deficient mice, indicating that the CD48/SLAMF4 interaction plays an inhibitory role on NK cells in a context-dependent manner. In mice lacking expression of self-MHC-binding inhibitory receptors, ligation of CD48 and SLAMF4 inhibits NK cell activation, indicating that CD48/SLAMF4 contributes to NK-cell self-tolerance in a MHC-I-independent manner. Differential expression of CD48 in distinct subsets of human dendritic cells affects NK cell activation. In addition, CD48 interacts with SLAMF4 and functions as a costimulatory molecule, playing a critical role in cell proliferation and MHC-restricted cytotoxicity in CD8+T cells. CD48 on the surface of marginal zone B cells activates NK cells and stimulates Th2 cytokine IL-13 production.