CD1d

CD1d is a membrane protein non-covalently bonded to β2-microglobulin (β2m) and shows high homology between human and mouse. CD1d can present α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a glycolipid extracted and isolated from the marine sponge, and this complex can activate human and murine CD1d-restricted NKT cells. CD1d tetramer is a reagent prepared by tetramerization of complexes of CD1d and β2m by PE- or APC- labeled streptavidin. Binding this reagent to α-GalCer enables highly sensitive detection of CD1d-restricted NKT cells and can be combined with antibodies to study NKT cell function by flow cytometry.

Dissolving and loading α-GalCer on CD1d tetramer

Detection of human NKT cells with CD1d tetramer

PBMC were separated from peripheral blood of healthy subjects and incubated at room temperature for 5 minutes with 40 µl of Clear Back (Human Fc receptor blocking reagent, MBL code no. MTG-001). CD3-FITC and human CD1d tetramer-PE (with or without binding of α-GalCer) were added and incubated for 30 minutes at 4°C protected from light, and cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results showed total cells contained 0.05% NKT cells, as defined by CD1d/CD3 dual positivity.

References

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Learn more about the other types of MHC Molecules

Class I Class II Non-Classical

See Products