CD48 Antibodies

Structure of CD48

CD48 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored membrane protein with a molecular weight of approximately 40-45 kDa. Its exact molecular weight may fluctuate slightly among different species and tissues due to varying degrees of glycosylation modification. The following is a comparison of the typical characteristics of CD48 protein in some species:

This protein is composed of approximately 220 amino acid residues, and its extracellular region forms a typical folded structure of the immunoglobulin superfamily. CD48 does not directly participate in signal transduction, but as a ligand, it can play a key role in the regulation of adhesion and activation between immune cells through interactions with various receptors such as CD244 and CD2. Its structural stability mainly depends on conserved disulfide bonds and glycosylation modifications, which jointly maintain its functional conformation in the immune synapse.

Fig. 1 Mechanism of IL-18 Binding Involving CD48.¹

Key structural properties of CD48:

• Folding of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) domain
• Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring
• Highly glycosylated extracellular domains
• Conservative disulfide bond network
• Lack of transmembrane regions and intracellular domains

Functions of CD48

The main function of the CD48 protein is to act as a costimulatory molecule and adhesion molecule for immune regulation. However, it is also deeply involved in a variety of immunopathological processes, including infection defense, autoimmunity and tumor immune surveillance.

The affinity of CD48 for interaction with receptors (such as CD244) is relatively low. This characteristic makes it more suitable for mediating transient and reversible intercellular contact, thereby precisely regulating the timing and intensity of immune activation. This forms a functional contrast with many high-affinity receptor-ligand systems that trigger continuous activation.

Applications of CD48 and CD48 Antibody in Literature

1. Liu, Jiye, et al. "Epigenetic regulation of CD38/CD48 by KDM6A mediates NK cell response in multiple myeloma." Nature Communications 15.1 (2024): 1367. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45561-z

The article indicates that through CRISPR screening, it was found that the deletion of KDM6A up-regulates H3K27me3, inhibits the expression of CD38 and CD48, and leads to resistance to daratumumab. The use of EZH2 inhibitors can reverse this process, providing a new strategy for enhancing the therapeutic effect of multiple myeloma.

2. Martinez-Vicente, Pablo, et al. "Subversion of natural killer cell responses by a cytomegalovirus-encoded soluble CD48 decoy receptor." PLoS pathogens 15.4 (2019): e1007658. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1007658

Research has revealed that the owl monkey cytomegalovirus protein A43, as a soluble CD48 bait receptor, blocks the recognition and killing of NK cells by binding to host 2B4 with high affinity, revealing a new mechanism of viral immune escape.

3. Danquah, Bright D., et al. "Mass Spectrometric analysis of antibody—Epitope peptide complex dissociation: Theoretical concept and practical procedure of binding strength characterization." Molecules 25.20 (2020): 4776. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6908968

Research has revealed that through bioinformatics analysis, CCR7 and CD48 have been identified as key biomarkers of acute rejection after kidney transplantation, closely related to the immune response mediated by macrophages and NK cells, providing new targets for prediction and treatment.

4. Kotzur, Rebecca, et al. "Eradication of CD48-positive tumors by selectively enhanced YTS cells harnessing the lncRNA NeST." Iscience 26.8 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.107284

In this study, by enhancing the expression of lncRNA NeST, an NK-like cell line seYTS that secretes more IFNγ was constructed. This cell can still effectively kill tumors expressing CD48 after irradiation, providing a new strategy for universal tumor therapy targeting CD48.

5. Marchitto, Lorie, et al. "Impact of HIV-1 Vpu-mediated downregulation of CD48 on NK-cell-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity." Mbio 14.4 (2023): e00789-23. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00789-23

The article indicates that HIV-1 down-regulates CD48 on the surface of infected cells through its Vpu protein to evade 2B4 receptor-mediated NK cell activation and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. This mechanism, together with the down-regulation of NTB-A ligands, jointly weakens immune attack and is an important immune escape strategy of the virus.

Creative Biolabs: CD48 Antibodies for Research

Creative Biolabs specializes in the production of high-quality CD48 antibodies for research and industrial applications. Our portfolio includes monoclonal antibodies tailored for ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and other diagnostic methodologies.

• Custom CD48 Antibody Development: Tailor-made solutions to meet specific research requirements.
• Bulk Production: Large-scale antibody manufacturing for industry partners.
• Technical Support: Expert consultation for protocol optimization and troubleshooting.
• Aliquoting Services: Conveniently sized aliquots for long-term storage and consistent experimental outcomes.

For more details on our CD48 antibodies, custom preparations, or technical support, contact us at email.