The CD244 antigen, also known as 2B4, is a cell surface glycoprotein implicated in the regulation of natural killer and T lymphocyte function. 2B4 is a member of the signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM)-related receptor family and is important for stimulating NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production, which is expressed on all NK cells, a subpopulation of T cells, monocytes and basophils. The 2B4 antigen identified on NK cells and T cells is capable of transmitting stimulatory signals and non-MHC-restricted killing. Reported as an activating receptor, human 2B4 can effectively activate and enhance NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity, induce secretion of IFN-γ and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), as well as NK cell invasiveness. As a cell surface glycoprotein of the Ig-superfamily structurally related to CD2-like molecules such as CD2, CD48, CD58, CD84, Ly-9, and SLAM, 2B4 (CD244) is expressed on all human NK cells, a subpopulation of T cells, basophils and monocytes. 2B4 activates NK cell mediated cytotoxicity, induces secretion of IFN-gamma and matrix metalloproteinases, and NK cell invasiveness.
