The 145-2C11 antibody is specific for mouse CD3e, also known as CD3 epsilon, a 20 kDa subunit of the T cell receptor complex, along with CD3 gamma and CD3 delta. These integral membrane protein chains assemble with additional chains of the T cell receptor (TCR), as well as CD3 zeta chain, to form the T cell receptor – CD3 complex. Together with co-receptors CD4 or CD8, the complex serves to recognize antigens bound to MHC molecules on antigen-presenting cells. Such interactions promote T cell receptor signaling (T cell activation) and can result in a number of cellular responses including proliferation, differentiation, production of cytokines or activation-induced cell death. CD3 is differentially expressed during thymocyte-to-T cell development and on all mature T cells.

The 145-2C11 antibody is a widely used phenotypic marker for mouse T cells. In addition, binding of 145-2C11 antibody to CD3e can induce cell activation. A recent publication of the crystal structure of a murine CD3e-mitogenic antibody complex provides further insight into the action of commonly used agonist antibodies (Fernandes, R.A. et al. 2012. J. Biol. Chem. 287: 13324-13335).