Background
CD2 is a surface antigen of the human T-lymphocyte lineage that is expressed on all peripheral blood T cells;(summarized by Sewell et al., 1986 (PubMed 3490670)). It is one of the earliest T-cell markers, being present on more;than 95% of thymocytes; it is also found on some natural killer cells but not on B lymphocytes. Monoclonal antibodies;directed against CD2 inhibit the formation of rosettes with sheep erythrocytes, indicating that CD2 is the erythrocyte;receptor or is closely associated with it.