CD2 (also designated E-rosette receptor) interacts through its amino-terminal domain with the extracellular domain of CD58 (also designated CD2 ligand) to mediate cell adhesion. CD2 is a specific marker for T cells and NK cells, and can therefore be used in immunohistochemistry to identify the presence of such cells in tissue sections. The great majority of T cell lymphomas and leukaemias also express CD2, making it possible to use the presence of the antigen to distinguish these conditions from B cell neoplasms. CD2 has been shown to interact with CD2BP2, Lck and PSTPIP1.
