C57BL/6 murine splenocytes are stained with Anti-Mouse CD3ε Monoclonal Antibody (AF488 Conjugated)[Used at 0.2 μg/106 cells dilution](filled gray histogram). Unstained splenocytes (empty black histogram) are used as control.
CD3ε is a 20 kD transmembrane protein, also known as CD3 or T3. It is a member of the Ig superfamily and primarily expressed on T cells, NK-T cells, and at different levels on thymocytes during T cell differentiation. CD3ε forms a TCR complex by associating with the CD3δ, γ and ζ chains, as well as the TCR α/β or γ/δ chains. CD3 plays a critical role in TCR signal transduction, T cell activation, and antigen recognition by binding the peptide/MHC antigen complex.