Description: The MIH18 monoclonal antibody reacts with human B7-DC, also known as PD-L2. B7-DC, a recently identified member of the B7 family, has a predicted molecular weight of approximately 25 kDa and belongs to the Ig superfamily. B7-DC is primarily expressed by subpopulations of dendritic cells and monocytes/macrophages. Although B7-DC has structural and sequence similarities to the B7 family, it does not bind CD28/CTLA-4, rather it is a ligand for PD-1. The interactions between PD-1 and B7-DC/PD-L2 have been reported to be involved in costimulation or suppression of T cell proliferation depending on state of cellular activation. MIH18 is a useful tool for studies to elucidate the exact function of B7-DC/PD-L2 in APC/T cell interaction and to characterize the expression pattern of this molecule in humans. MIH18 is a blocking antibody.