Cluster of Differentiation 48 (CD48), also known as SLAMF2, BCM-1 and BLAST-1, is a GPI-linked protein belonging to the CD2 subfamily of immunoglobulin superfamily molecules. CD2 and 2B4 (CD244) are known ligands for CD48. CD48 protein is expressed on most lineage-committed hematopoietic cells but not on hematopoietic stem cells or multipotent hematopoietic progenitors. CD48 protein performs biological functions in a variety processes including adhesion, pathogen recognition, cellular activation, and cytokine regulation, and emerges as a critical effector molecule in immune responses.
Messmer B, et al. (2006) CD48 stimulation by 2B4 (CD244)-expressing targets activates human NK cells. J Immunol. 176(8): 4646-50
Milstein O, et al. (2008) Nanoscale increases in CD2-CD48-mediated intermembrane spacing decrease adhesion and reorganize the immunological synapse. J Biol Chem. 283(49): 34414-22.