CD8A Mouse Models

Why Model CD8A

Cd8a is the mouse ortholog of human CD8A and encodes the CD8 alpha chain, part of the CD8 co-receptor on cytotoxic T cells. CD8 binds MHC class I and has been associated with support of T-cell-receptor recognition and cytotoxic T-cell function.

CD8 T cells are central to antitumor and antiviral immunity, and CD8 is used as a marker and imaging target in immunotherapy research. Cd8a-deficient mice show impaired development of cytotoxic T cells.

Model Applications

Humanized CD8A models, in which the human chain replaces the mouse counterpart, have been used to study CD8 T-cell biology and to evaluate CD8-directed agents and imaging approaches in defined experimental settings.

Custom CD8A Model Options

Engineered to your specifications, with molecular validation of the targeted allele and germline transmission guaranteed.

• Conventional knockout
• Conditional knockout
• Point mutation / knockin
• Reporter knockin
• Humanized
• Targeted transgenic

Sources

• Molecular mechanisms governing CD8 T cell differentiation and checkpoint inhibitor response in cancer. Annu Rev Immunol. 2025. doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-082223-044122
• Littman DR et al. The isolation and sequence of the gene encoding T8: a molecule defining functional classes of T lymphocytes. Cell. 1985. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(85)90138-2

Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Reviewed by: Paul Sheiffele

Related gene targets: Cd8b1 · Cd4 · Lck · Cd3e