Cluster Of Differentiation 226 (CD226)

CD226 is a ~65 kDa glycoprotein expressed on the surface of NK cells, platelets, monocytes and a subset of T cells. It is a member of the Ig-superfamily containing 2 Ig-like domains of the V-set and is encoded by a gene on human chromosome 18q22.3. CD226 mediates cellular adhesion to other cells bearing an unidentified ligand and cross-linking CD226 with antibodies causes cellular activation.

CD226 belongs to the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily and is expressed on the majority of natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, monocytes, and platelets. Through its interaction with various ligands, including LFA1, CD155 (PVR), and CD112 (PVRL2), CD226 plays an important role in T cell- and NK cell-mediated recognition and lysis of tumor cells.