Endosialin & CD3

In immunology, the CD3 (cluster of differentiation 3) T-cell co-receptor is a protein complex and is composed of four distinct chains. In mammals, the complex contains a CD3γ chain, a CD3δ chain, and two CD3ε chains. These chains associate with a molecule known as the T-cell receptor (TCR) and the ζ-chain to generate an activation signal in T lymphocytes. The TCR, ζ-chain, and CD3 molecules together comprise the TCR complex.

Endosialin is a member of the "Group XIV", a novel family of C-type lectin transmembrane receptors which play a role not only in cell-cell adhesion processes but also in host defence. Its expression has been associated with angiogenesis in the embryo, uterus and in tumor development and growth.