Mouse Monoclonal Antibody to CD86(7H3)

T cell proliferation and lymphokine production are triggered by occupation of the TCR by antigen, followed by a costimulatory signal that is delivered by a ligand expressed on antigen presenting cells. The B7~related cell surface proteins B7~1 (CD80) and B7~2 (CD86) expressed on antigen presenting cells bind the homologous T cell receptors CD28 and CTLA~4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte~associated protein~4) and trigger costimulatory signals for optimal T cell activation. CTLA~4 shares 31% overall amino acid identity with CD28, and it has been proposed that CD28 and CTLA~4 are functionally redundant. SLAM is a novel receptor on T cells that, when engaged, potentiates T cell expansion in a CD28~independent manner. B7, also designated BB1, is another ligand or counterreceptor for CD28 and CTLA~4 that is expressed on the antigen~presenting cell.