Description: The C7 monoclonal antibody reacts with the mouse NKG2D. NKG2D is a lectin-like molecule expressed on both human and mouse NK cell lineage. Mouse NKG2D binds to retinoic acid-inducible RAE1-α, -β, -γ, -δ, and -ε and the minor histocompatibility molecule H60 and has the ability to costimulate multiple NK activation receptors through the DAP12/DAP10 adaptor molecules. NKG2D is expressed by all spleen and liver NK cells, NK1.1+ thymocytes, in vitro activated LAK cells and a subset of splenic NKT cells. A10 and C7 antibodies detect NK cells from all inbred strains of mouse tested so far. C7 is reported to interfere with the interaction of NKG2D with its ligands as shown by inhibition of lysis of Ba/F3-RAE1d by C57BL/6 LAK cells in the presence of the C7 mAb. C7 and another hamster anti-mouse NKG2D (clone A10, cat.14-5872) compete with each other for binding to transfected cells by flow cytometric analysis, suggesting that they may bind to similar epitopes or block each other by steric hindrance. C7 (neutralizing) and A10 (activating) also exhibit different functional properties.
Expression of the NKG2D antigen on mouse peripheral NK and NKT cells can be detected by flow cytometric analysis using mAb CX5 with much brighter intensity.