CD161 Mouse anti-Human, APC, Clone: DX12, BD

The DX12 monoclonal antibody specifically binds to human CD161 which is also known as Natural killer cell surface protein P1A (NKR-P1A). CD161 is encoded by the KLRB1 (Killer cell lectin-like receptor subfamily B member 1) gene. CD161 is a member of the C-type lectin superfamily and is also referred to as C-type lectin domain family 5 member B (CLEC5B). CD161 is a 80 kDa disulfide-linked homodimer, type II membrane glycoprotein. CD161 is expressed mostly on NK cell populations and on subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ αβ T cells, NKT cells and γδ T cells. Reports indicate that CD161 is expressed preferentially on CD45RO+ T cells, however, it can be found on a subset of thymocytes and fetal liver T cells. Its function has not been fully elucidated, but reports indicate that NKR-P1A may serve as a specific receptor for some NK cell targets. The DX12 antibody can reportedly inhibit spontaneous cytotoxicity mediated by certain NK cell clones.