Alexa Fluor® 594 Anti-CD1a antibody [EP3622]

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

CD1a also known as T6 antigen or CD1 is a protein with an estimated molecular mass of 37 kDa. It is expressed mainly on the surface of Langerhans cells in the skin and dendritic cells in the thymus. CD1a belongs to the CD1 family which presents lipid antigens to T cells. The protein is an important marker in immunophenotyping of these dendritic cells making it useful in flow cytometry applications.

Biological function summary

CD1a participates in the immune system by presenting lipid and glycolipid antigens to T lymphocytes including natural killer T (NKT) cells. It forms a complex with β2-microglobulin which is essential for its proper function and antigen presentation. CD1a expression helps differentiate between types of dendritic cells with CD1a-positive cells often engaging in specific responses to microbial lipid antigens.

Pathways

CD1a plays a significant role in the antigen presentation pathway particularly in lipid antigen presentation to T cells. This is important for initiating immune responses. It interacts with related proteins such as CD1b and CD1c which also present lipid antigens. CD1a has implications in innate and adaptive immunity and can influence pathways involved in microbial recognition and elimination.

CD1a is associated with certain skin conditions like Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and psoriasis. It is involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases by affecting immune responses in the skin. In Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis CD1a-positive cells accumulate abnormally. Additionally CD1a is often studied alongside related proteins like CD207 (Langerin) to understand these conditions better.