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OKT3 (also called muromonab) is an immunosuppressant drug given to reduce acute rejection in transplant patients.^[1] A major milestone in the prevention of acute allograft rejection was achieved with the development of the mAb OKT3, the first mAb to be approved for clinical use in humans.

[edit] Structure and function

OKT3 is a murine monoclonal IgG2a antibody that reacts with the T cell receptor-CD3 complex (specifically the epsilon chain of the T lymphocyte antigen receptor) on the surface of circulating human T cells. The T cell has 2 molecules on its surface which function primarily in antigen recognition. These antigen recognition structures are associated with 3 polypeptide chains (the CD-3 complex). The CD-3 complex transduces the signal for the T cell to react to the foreign antigen, proliferate, and attack the foreign matter.

OKT3 is a monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with the T-3 complex by blocking the function of T cells.

The binding of murine MAb OKT3 to CD3 can activate T cells - cytokine release syndrome - resulting in a number of side effects, including pyrexia, myalgia, nausea and diarrhoea.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• MedlinePlus entry

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