B-lymphocyte antigen CD20 (Mouse) (CD20)

B-lymphocyte antigen CD20 (Mouse) is a non-glycosylated transmembrane phosphoprotein expressed on the surface of B-cells from the late pro-B cell stage through mature B-cells, but is lost during differentiation into plasma cells (Source: UniProt P19437). It belongs to the membrane-spanning 4-domain family A (MS4A) and is thought to function as a calcium-permeable cation channel, playing a crucial role in B-cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation (Source: NCBI Gene 12482). While human CD20 is a major therapeutic target for treating B-cell malignancies and autoimmune disorders with drugs like rituximab, mouse CD20 serves as a vital surrogate target in preclinical research to evaluate the efficacy and safety of B-cell depleting agents (Source: PubMed PMID: 15153538). Antibodies against mouse CD20 are used to model the therapeutic effects of B-cell depletion in various disease contexts, including lymphoma and autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis (Source: PubMed PMID: 21441454). The interaction between anti-CD20 antibodies and the receptor typically leads to rapid B-cell clearance via immune-mediated effector mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). This target is essential for understanding the mechanisms of B-cell-directed therapies in vivo before clinical translation.

Other names

MsCD20Ly-44B-lymphocyte surface antigen B1Membrane-spanning 4-domains subfamily A member 1Ms4a1

Monoclonal antibodies targeting mouse CD20 induce B-cell depletion primarily through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and direct induction of apoptosis (Source: PubMed PMID: 15153538).