CD48 is a protein that belongs to the signal lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAMF) family. It is a cell-surface glycoprotein that plays a significant role in immune cell adhesion and activation. CD48 is expressed on various hematopoietic cells, including T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, and eosinophils. CD48 does not have an intracellular domain; instead, it is anchored to the cell surface via a glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol (GPI) linkage. This protein interacts with several ligands, including CD2, CD244 (2B4), and bacterial FimH, to mediate various immune functions. The interaction of CD48 with CD2 on T cells can promote T cell activation by facilitating the recruitment of signaling components to the T cell receptor (TCR). CD48 also contributes to the organization of the immune synapse, adhesion, and costimulation through its interaction with CD2. The interaction between CD48 and CD244 can regulate the activation of NK cells and CD8+ T effector cells. CD48 also plays a role in the immune response against bacteria by binding to the bacterial component FimH through mannose residues in the GPI linkage. In terms of cancer treatment, CD48 has been identified as a potential target in immunotherapy. It is highly expressed in certain types of cancer, such as renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and may be associated with tumor immune evasion.
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