Description: The monoclonal antibody D7715A7 recognizes mouse CD126, the IL-6 receptor α chain, a member of the Ig superfamily. CD126 can heterodimerize with CD130 (gp130) to form the high affinity IL-6 receptor. Once IL-6 is bound, signaling from the CD130 subunit is initiated and the receptor complex is internalized. The IL-6 receptor is also reported to exist as a soluble version, which bound to IL-6 acts in trans to signal. Expression is found on T lymphocytes in the periphery and during development in the thymus is restricted to SP populations, unlike gp130 which is expressed in all thymocytes. Additional expression has been shown on activated B lymphocytes, macrophages, granulocytes and CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. The monoclonal antibody D7715A7 binding can be blocked addition of ligand (IL-6).