CD83 is a surface marker that differentiates immature and mature human dendritic cell populations. Thymic epithelial cell expression of CD83 is also necessary for efficient CD4+ T cell development in mice. The altered phenotypes of peripheral B and CD4+ T cells, and the reduction of peripheral CD4+ T cells in CD83−/− mice, suggest additional functions for CD83. To assess this, a panel of mAbs was generated to characterize mouse CD83 expression by peripheral leukocytes.
