CD160
CD160 (CD160 molecule, also known as BY55, NK1 and NK28) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored, immunoglobulin-like glycoprotein found on cytolytic lymphocytes. It binds classical and nonclassical MHC class I molecules, and a soluble form released from activated lymphocytes may limit effector functions. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CD160 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CD160 is a cell-surface receptor of the immune system that shows broad specificity for binding to both classical and nonclassical MHC class I molecules. It is anchored to the membrane by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). A soluble GPI-cleaved form, usually released by activated lymphocytes, might play an immune regulatory role by limiting lymphocyte effector functions. UniProt records the protein at the cell membrane and in secreted form.
The CD160 gene encodes a cysteine-rich protein with a single Ig-like domain that is weakly homologous to the KIR2DL4 molecule. At the cell surface, CD160 is expressed as a tightly disulfide-linked multimer. The glycoprotein runs at about 27 kDa. Expression is tightly associated with peripheral blood NK cells and CD8 T lymphocytes with cytolytic effector activity. RNA blot analysis showed that CD160 mRNAs are highly restricted to circulating NK and T cells, spleen and small intestine.
Within NK cells, CD160 is found on CD56dimCD16+ cells. Among circulating T cells, it is mainly restricted to TCRgd-bearing cells and to TCRab+CD8brightCD95+CD56+CD28-CD27- cells. In tissues, CD160 is expressed on all intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes. The protein was first identified with the monoclonal antibody BY55, which explains that alias. HGNC places CD160 among the CD molecules and the immunoglobulin-like domain containing genes, and the mouse ortholog is Cd160.
CD160 expression is tightly associated with cytolytic NK cells, particularly the CD56dimCD16+ subset, making it a useful marker for studying NK effector populations.
The protein marks CD8 T cells with cytolytic effector activity and TCRgd-bearing cells, supporting work on T cell subsets and differentiation.
CD160 binds both classical and nonclassical MHC class I molecules, so it is relevant to studies of lymphocyte ligand engagement.
CD160 is expressed on all intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes and in small intestine, linking it to research on mucosal immune cells.
CD160 is a GPI-anchored receptor that binds classical and nonclassical MHC class I molecules. It is expressed on cytolytic NK cells and CD8 T cells. A soluble GPI-cleaved form released by activated lymphocytes might limit lymphocyte effector functions.
CD160 is also known as BY55, NK1 and NK28, and its protein name is CD160 antigen. BY55 comes from the monoclonal antibody used to identify it first. The protein exists as a membrane-bound form and a soluble, GPI-cleaved secreted form.
A mouse ortholog, Cd160, is recorded for the human CD160 gene. No rat ortholog is listed in the data used for this page. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other CD molecules, lymphocyte markers and immune receptors with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt O95971; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.