T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 (CD8)

T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 is an integral membrane glycoprotein, composed of alpha and beta chains (CD8α and CD8β), found predominantly on the surface of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and subsets of suppressor T cells[6][2]. CD8 acts as a co-receptor with the T cell receptor (TCR), specifically recognizing antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules. Its role is critical in stabilizing interactions between the TCR, antigen, and MHC-I, and in recruiting lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase Lck, which initiates intracellular signaling cascades on T cell activation[1][2][3][6]. CD8 functions in both adaptive and innate immunity, influencing the maturation, activation, and differentiation of T cell populations. It is an essential biomarker and therapeutic target in immunology, widely studied for its role in cancer immunotherapy, infectious diseases, and autoimmunity[1][4].

Other names

CD8CD8 antigenCD8 co-receptorCD8A (alpha chain)CD8B (beta chain)CD8αCD8βCD8^+ T cell marker

Monoclonal antibodies: Bind and block CD8 function, modulating cytotoxic T cell activity and immune response Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell engineering: Incorporation of CD8 structural domains to enhance function/stability in gene-engineered T cells