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CD8: adhesion molecule, co-receptor and immuno-modulator

David K Cole1, George F Gao

  • 1Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Headington Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.

Cellular & Molecular Immunology
|October 11, 2005
PubMed

Insights

CD8 glycoprotein on cytotoxic T cells has dual roles: a co-receptor enhancing T cell receptor signaling and an adhesion molecule. Recent findings also reveal its function as an immuno-modulator, binding to TL antigen.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • CD8 is a cell surface glycoprotein crucial for cellular immunity, particularly in anti-cancer and anti-viral immune responses.
  • It exists as alpha-alpha homodimers or alpha-beta heterodimers on cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
  • CD8 functions as a co-receptor or adhesion molecule, interacting with peptide major histocompatibility complex (pMHC).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of CD8 functions.
  • To discuss the structural basis of CD8's roles.
  • To explore CD8's co-receptor, adhesion molecule, and immuno-modulator functions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on CD8.
  • Analysis of structural basis for CD8 functions.
  • Discussion of CD8's interaction with T cell receptors (TCR) and pMHC.

Main Results:

  • CD8 acts as a co-receptor when binding to pMHC simultaneously with TCR, enhancing T cell signaling.
  • CD8 functions as an adhesion molecule when binding to pMHC independently of TCR.
  • Murine CD8 alpha-alpha has been shown to bind TL antigen, acting as an immuno-modulator.

Conclusions:

  • CD8 exhibits multifaceted functions including co-receptor activity, adhesion, and immuno-modulation.
  • Understanding these diverse roles and their structural underpinnings is essential for cellular immunity research.
  • Further investigation into CD8's interaction with TL antigen may reveal new immunotherapeutic targets.

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