CD3 protein complex (CD3)

CD3 is a cell surface protein complex critical for T cell biology and immune signaling. It is composed of four subunits—CD3γ, CD3δ, CD3ε, and CD3ζ—arranged in dimers that associate noncovalently with the T cell receptor (TCR). The CD3 complex is essential for antigen recognition and transduction of activation signals following TCR stimulation via its immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs). CD3 is both a defining marker for T cell identification and an important target for monoclonal antibody therapeutics in cancer, transplant rejection, and autoimmune disorders. Safety concerns with CD3 targeting therapies include cytokine release syndrome and profound immunosuppression

Other names

Cluster of differentiation 3T3 complexT cell co-receptorCD3 antigen

Antibody-mediated depletion of T cells (immunosuppression) Modulation of T cell activation Induction of T cell anergy or apoptosis Immunomodulation via ITAM phosphorylation and downstream signaling pathways