CD3 antigen (T cell surface glycoprotein CD3 complex) (CD3)

CD3 is a multimeric protein complex and a defining marker of T cells. It is composed of four distinct polypeptide chains: epsilon (ε), gamma (γ), delta (δ), and zeta (ζ). The primary role of the CD3 complex is to transduce activation signals from antigen recognition via TCR into intracellular signaling cascades. It is essential for proper development and differentiation of thymocytes into mature T cells. It is expressed on all mature αβ and γδ lineage T lymphocytes. Mutations or defects can cause severe combined immunodeficiency syndromes. Genetic variants have been linked to increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes mellitus. Used diagnostically as a pan-T-cell marker.

Other names

T cell surface glycoprotein CD3 complexCD3 complexTCR-CD3 complex

Antibody-mediated T-cell depletion/modulation