Structure, function, and immunomodulation of the CD8 co-receptor.

Expressed on the surface of CD8 T cells, the CD8 co-receptor is a key component of the T cells that contributes to antigen recognition, immune cell maturation, and immune cell signaling. While CD8 is widely recognized as a co-stimulatory molecule for conventional CD8 αβ T cells, recent reports highlight its multifaceted role in both adaptive and innate immune responses. In this review, we discuss the utility of CD8 in relation to its immunomodulatory properties.