This antibody recognizes the mouse NK1.1 cell surface antigen, a cell surface glycoprotein encoded by members of the NKR-P1 gene family.In the mouse the NKR-P1 family has three members, NKR-P1A, -B and -C, whilst in the human only one member has been identified. The human protein has received the designation CD161, and the mouse proteins have been referred to as CD161a, -b, -c etc. Although previously thought to recognize only CD161c, recent data has shown that the antibody may also react with CD161b. CD161c expression itself is strain specific in mice, but recognition of CD161b by the antibody appears to be even more complex, as only some CD161b positive strains are labelled by the antibody. Engagement of CD161c has been reported to have activating function in NK cells, whilst engagement of CD161b is inhibitory.

This product is useful for the identification of NK cells in selected strains of mice (positive on C57BL, FVB/N and NZB, but negative on AKR and BALB/c) and is also expressed by rare subsets of T cells and monocytes. The antibody has also been used for in vivo depletion of NK cells and in vitro activation of NK cells.

Natural Killer Cells