Biology:CD83
CD83 (cluster of differentiation 83) is a cell-surface glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily encoded in humans by the CD83 gene.[1] It is expressed primarily by activated immune cells, including dendritic cells, T cells, B cells and regulatory T cells, as well as by microglia and cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) in the thymus.[2][3] CD83 contributes to the regulation of immune responses, including the resolution of inflammation and the induction of immunological tolerance.

Structure
CD83 occurs in two biologically relevant forms:
- Membrane-bound CD83 (mCD83) is a type I transmembrane protein comprising an extracellular V-type immunoglobulin-like domain, a transmembrane region and a short cytoplasmic signaling domain. It is expressed on activated immune cells and functions as an immunological checkpoint involved in the resolution of inflammation and in limiting excessive autoimmune responses.[2][3] Membrane-bound CD83 is thought to form trimers.
- Soluble CD83 (sCD83) comprises the extracellular immunoglobulin-like domain alone and is shed from the surface of activated immune cells.[4] Soluble CD83 can assemble into dodecameric complexes and induces immunoregulatory processes, including the induction of tolerogenic dendritic cells, regulatory T cells (Treg cells) and pro-resolving macrophages.[3][5]
Both forms of CD83 are glycosylated. CD83 mRNA is transported from the cell nucleus to the cytosol through the export receptor CRM1.[2] The soluble form has structural similarities to B7-1, B7-2 and CD48.[6]
Gene
The CD83 gene is located on the short arm of human chromosome 6 (6p23) and on mouse chromosome 13.[7] The human CD83 promoter extends approximately 261 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site and contains several binding sites for NF-κB and interferon regulatory factors. This organization reflects the integration of CD83 into signaling pathways controlled by cytokines and inflammatory mediators.[8]
Binding sites for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) have also been identified in the promoter and in an enhancer region within the second intron.[9] This arrangement suggests that CD83 transcription may be negatively regulated by gut-derived microbial metabolites and other AhR ligands.
Function
CD83 participates in the maturation, activation and homeostasis of B cells, T cells and dendritic cells.[10]
The transmembrane region of mCD83 stabilizes MHC II molecules, costimulatory molecules such as CD86, and CD28 in the plasma membrane by antagonizing MARCH-family E3 ubiquitin ligases.[3][11] By stabilizing these molecules, mCD83 regulates the efficiency of antigen presentation and subsequent T-cell activation.
Ligands
The precise physiological ligands of mCD83 have not been fully characterized. Early binding studies showed that murine B cells,[12] human immature and mature dendritic cells,[13] and activated CD8+ T cells[14] can bind sCD83, but did not identify a specific individual receptor. mCD83 has also been reported to engage in homotypic interactions with the soluble form.[15]
Loss of mCD83 on immune cells is associated in preclinical models with excessive autoimmune responses in multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, neuroinflammatory disease[16] and inflammatory bowel disease.[3][15]
sCD83 binds the TLR4/MD-2 complex on monocytes and osteoclasts. Through the TRIF signaling pathway, it activates indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which produces the tryptophan metabolite kynurenine. Kynurenine in turn induces regulatory T cells, which can limit or resolve excessive immune responses.[3][5] In preclinical studies, sCD83 has also modulated allergic T-helper-cell type 2 immune responses, including in experimental allergic rhinitis, and reduced allograft rejection.[17]
Cd4+ t-cell selection in the thymus
The development of CD4+ T cells during positive selection is regulated substantially by CD83 expression on cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs).[18][11] During positive selection, CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocytes interact with cTECs through their T-cell receptors. A non-functional interaction results in cell death, whereas appropriate recognition permits survival and commitment to either the CD4 or CD8 lineage according to recognition of MHC II or MHC I, respectively. mCD83 inhibits the activity of the MHC-II-degrading MARCH8 E3 ubiquitin ligase in cTECs, thereby regulating MHC-II expression. Loss of CD83 in cTECs markedly reduces the peripheral CD4+ T-cell population.[11]
Regulatory t cells

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) comprise thymically derived and peripherally induced populations. They express the transcription factor FOXP3, which establishes their suppressive phenotype. Although FOXP3 expression is unchanged in CD83 knockout mice, mCD83 is important for peripheral induction of Treg cells. Mice with Treg-cell-specific CD83 deficiency have reduced numbers of these cells and develop a pro-inflammatory phenotype with excessive autoimmune responses, including in experimental colitis.[19]
CD83 deletion also causes an imbalance in Treg-cell effector function, including decreased expression of GATA3, a transcription factor important for expression of the ST2 receptor.[19] Activated Treg cells also express and secrete sCD83, which can downregulate IRAK-1 in inflamed tissue and contribute to the induction of tolerance mechanisms.[20]
Dendritic cells
CD83 expression is a classical marker of mature dendritic cells.[2] As in cTECs, CD83 stabilizes MHC-II expression in dendritic cells by antagonizing MARCH1 E3 ubiquitin ligases. Dendritic-cell-specific CD83 knockout mice show reduced surface MHC II and CD86, indicating that CD83 is a central regulator of dendritic-cell phenotype.[3] Specific deletion of CD83 in dendritic cells also leads to excessive autoimmune responses, including in a preclinical model of multiple sclerosis.[21]
B cells
Expression of mCD83 correlates with B-lymphocyte activation and is regulated by signaling through the B-cell receptor, CD40 and Toll-like receptors. In B-cell-specific CD83 knockout mice, B-cell proliferation is increased.[22] mCD83 does not directly affect antibody affinity maturation, but promotes class switching to IgE, suggesting a role in the development of allergic responses and making CD83 a potential therapeutic target in allergy.[23]
sCD83 in hair growth and follicle regeneration
Recent preclinical studies have identified soluble CD83 (sCD83) as a modulator of hair growth and regeneration of resting hair follicles. In preclinical models, sCD83 administration activated hair follicles and accelerated the transition from the resting telogen phase to the growth anagen phase.[24] A proposed multimodal mechanism involves the differentiation of macrophages towards pro-resolving M2 phenotypes and recruitment of regulatory T cells. These cell types can resolve inflammatory microenvironments around hair follicles and promote activation of resident hair-follicle stem cells.[25]
Transcriptomic analyses of human hair follicles indicate that sCD83 activates Wnt signaling and downregulates inhibitors of anagen growth, including Dkk-1. In ex vivo cultures of human hair follicles, sCD83 accelerated hair-shaft elongation, prolonged anagen and inhibited transition to telogen, in part through inhibition of apoptosis in hair follicles.[26]
In a preclinical model of alopecia areata, sCD83 reversed autoimmune hair loss and induced new hair growth; the proposed mechanism was IDO-mediated activation of regulatory T cells.[27] A scientific commentary also reported the first successful cosmetic use of an sCD83-based product in one individual.[28] In 2025, the European Patent Office granted a patent for the use of sCD83 in promoting hair growth and wound healing.[29]
See also
References
- ↑ "Entrez Gene: CD83 CD83 molecule". https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=9308.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "CD83: an update on functions and prospects of the maturation marker of dendritic cells". Archives of Dermatological Research 299 (2): 59–69. May 2007. doi:10.1007/s00403-007-0743-z. PMID 17334966.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "The CD83 Molecule - An Important Immune Checkpoint". Frontiers in Immunology 11. 2020. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2020.00721. PMID 32362900.
- ↑ "The human dendritic cell marker CD83 maps to chromosome 6p23". Annals of Human Genetics 63 (Pt 2): 181–183. March 1999. doi:10.1046/j.1469-1809.1999.6320181.x. PMID 10738529.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Soluble CD83 Inhibits T Cell Activation by Binding to the TLR4/MD-2 Complex on CD14+ Monocytes". Journal of Immunology (Baltimore) 198 (6): 2286–2301. March 2017. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1600802. PMID 28193829.
- ↑ "Crystal Structure of the Extracellular Domain of the Human Dendritic Cell Surface Marker CD83". Journal of Molecular Biology 429 (8): 1227–1243. April 2017. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2017.03.009. PMID 28315353.
- ↑ "The mouse Cd83 gene: structure, domain organization, and chromosome localization". Immunogenetics 48 (6): 383–393. 1998. doi:10.1007/s002510050449. PMID 9799334.
- ↑ "Multiple interferon regulatory factor and NF-κB sites cooperate in mediating cell-type- and maturation-specific activation of the human CD83 promoter in dendritic cells". Molecular and Cellular Biology 33 (7): 1331–1344. April 2013. doi:10.1128/MCB.01051-12. PMID 23339870.
- ↑ "Quercetin induces an immunoregulatory phenotype in maturing human dendritic cells". Immunobiology 225 (4). July 2020. doi:10.1016/j.imbio.2020.151929. PMID 32115260.
- ↑ "CD83 regulates lymphocyte maturation, activation and homeostasis". Trends in Immunology 29 (4): 186–194. April 2008. doi:10.1016/j.it.2008.01.009. PMID 18329338.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Thymic CD4 T cell selection requires attenuation of March8-mediated MHCII turnover in cortical epithelial cells through CD83". The Journal of Experimental Medicine 213 (9): 1685–1694. August 2016. doi:10.1084/jem.20160316. PMID 27503071.
- ↑ "Activation-induced expression of murine CD83 on T cells and identification of a specific CD83 ligand on murine B cells". International Immunology 12 (9): 1347–1351. September 2000. doi:10.1093/intimm/12.9.1347. PMID 10967030.
- ↑ "The extracellular domain of CD83 inhibits dendritic cell-mediated T cell stimulation and binds to a ligand on dendritic cells". The Journal of Experimental Medicine 194 (12): 1813–1821. December 2001. doi:10.1084/jem.194.12.1813. PMID 11748282.
- ↑ "Engagement of CD83 ligand induces prolonged expansion of CD8+ T cells and preferential enrichment for antigen specificity". Blood 107 (4): 1528–1536. February 2006. doi:10.1182/blood-2005-05-2073. PMID 16239433.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Dendritic cell CD83 homotypic interactions regulate inflammation and promote mucosal homeostasis". Mucosal Immunology 8 (2): 414–428. March 2015. doi:10.1038/mi.2014.79. PMID 25204675.
- ↑ "Microglial expression of CD83 governs cellular activation and restrains neuroinflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis". Nature Communications 14 (1). August 2023. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-40370-2. PMID 37528070.
- ↑ "Soluble CD83 alleviates experimental allergic rhinitis through modulating antigen-specific Th2 cell property". International Journal of Biological Sciences 16 (2): 216–227. 2020. doi:10.7150/ijbs.38722. PMID 31929750.
- ↑ "CD83 expression influences CD4+ T cell development in the thymus". Cell 108 (6): 755–767. March 2002. doi:10.1016/S0092-8674(02)00673-6. PMID 11955430.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 "CD83 expression is essential for Treg cell differentiation and stability". JCI Insight 3 (11). June 2018. doi:10.1172/jci.insight.99712. PMID 29875316.
- ↑ "Differential regulation of Foxp3 and IL-17 expression in CD4 T helper cells by IRAK-1". Journal of Immunology (Baltimore) 182 (9): 5763–5769. May 2009. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.0900124. PMID 19380824.
- ↑ "CD83 orchestrates immunity toward self and non-self in dendritic cells". JCI Insight 4 (20). October 2019. doi:10.1172/jci.insight.126246. PMID 31527313.
- ↑ "Activated T cells induce rapid CD83 expression on B cells by engagement of CD40". Immunology Letters 136 (2): 221–227. May 2011. doi:10.1016/j.imlet.2011.01.013. PMID 21277328.
- ↑ "CD83 Modulates B Cell Activation and Germinal Center Responses". Journal of Immunology (Baltimore) 196 (9): 3581–3594. May 2016. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1502163. PMID 26983787.
- ↑ "Soluble CD83 improves and accelerates wound healing by the induction of pro-resolving macrophages". Frontiers in Immunology 13. 2022. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1012647. PMID 36248909.
- ↑ "Soluble CD83 modulates human-monocyte-derived macrophages toward alternative phenotype, function, and metabolism". Frontiers in Immunology 14. 2023. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1293828. PMID 38162675.
- ↑ "Our Science: Therapeutics". https://mallia.com/therapeutics/our-science-therapeutics.
- ↑ "Soluble CD83 reverses alopecia areata via IDO-mediated Treg cell activation". The British Journal of Dermatology. July 2026. doi:10.1093/bjd/ljag274. PMID 42397957.
- ↑ "Expanding the therapeutic landscape of sCD83 in hair disorders". The British Journal of Dermatology. August 2026. doi:10.1093/bjd/ljag328. PMID 42570012.
- ↑ Steinkasserer A, Zinser E, Royzman D, "Scd83 for Wound Healing, Hair Growth, and Skin and Hair Care", EP patent 4135745, published 2023-02-22, issued 2025-05-07, assigned to Friedrich Alexander Universitaet Erlangen Nuernberg
Further reading
- "CD83 on dendritic cells: more than just a marker for maturation". Trends in Immunology 23 (6): 273–275. June 2002. doi:10.1016/S1471-4906(02)02214-7. PMID 12072358.
- "A novel cell-surface molecule expressed by human interdigitating reticulum cells, Langerhans cells, and activated lymphocytes is a new member of the Ig superfamily". Journal of Immunology (Baltimore) 149 (2): 735–742. July 1992. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.149.2.735. PMID 1378080.
- "Human blood dendritic cells selectively express CD83, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily". Journal of Immunology (Baltimore) 154 (8): 3821–3835. April 1995. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.154.8.3821. PMID 7706722.
- "Oligo-capping: a simple method to replace the cap structure of eukaryotic mRNAs with oligoribonucleotides". Gene 138 (1–2): 171–174. January 1994. doi:10.1016/0378-1119(94)90802-8. PMID 8125298.
- "Subtractive cDNA cloning of a novel member of the Ig gene superfamily expressed at high levels in activated B lymphocytes". Blood 81 (2): 454–461. January 1993. doi:10.1182/blood.V81.2.454.454. PMID 8422464.
- "CD84 leukocyte antigen is a new member of the Ig superfamily". Blood 90 (6): 2398–2405. September 1997. doi:10.1182/blood.V90.6.2398. PMID 9310491.
- "Construction and characterization of a full length-enriched and a 5'-end-enriched cDNA library". Gene 200 (1–2): 149–156. October 1997. doi:10.1016/S0378-1119(97)00411-3. PMID 9373149.
- "Fine mapping of 39 ESTs on human chromosome 6p23-p25". Genomics 46 (2): 303–306. December 1997. doi:10.1006/geno.1997.5032. PMID 9417921.
- "Cloning, recombinant expression and biochemical characterization of the murine CD83 molecule which is specifically upregulated during dendritic cell maturation". FEBS Letters 461 (3): 211–216. November 1999. doi:10.1016/S0014-5793(99)01465-9. PMID 10567699. Bibcode: 1999FEBSL.461..211B.
- "CD83 is an I-type lectin adhesion receptor that binds monocytes and a subset of activated CD8+ T cells [corrected]". Journal of Immunology (Baltimore) 166 (6): 3865–3872. March 2001. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.166.6.3865. PMID 11238630.
- "Native HIV-1 Tat protein targets monocyte-derived dendritic cells and enhances their maturation, function, and antigen-specific T cell responses". Journal of Immunology (Baltimore) 168 (1): 197–206. January 2002. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.168.1.197. PMID 11751963.
- "Cloning and characterization of the promoter region of the human CD83 gene". Immunobiology 205 (3): 231–246. July 2002. doi:10.1078/0171-2985-00128. PMID 12182451.
- "Increased expression of DC-SIGN+IL-12+IL-18+ and CD83+IL-12-IL-18- dendritic cell populations in the colonic mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease". European Journal of Immunology 33 (1): 143–151. January 2003. doi:10.1002/immu.200390017. PMID 12594843.
- "Latent membrane protein 1 of Epstein-Barr virus induces CD83 by the NF-kappaB signaling pathway". Journal of Virology 77 (15): 8290–8298. August 2003. doi:10.1128/JVI.77.15.8290-8298.2003. PMID 12857898.
- "The soluble form of CD83 is present at elevated levels in a number of hematological malignancies". Leukemia Research 28 (3): 237–241. March 2004. doi:10.1016/S0145-2126(03)00255-8. PMID 14687618.
- "Infection of mature monocyte-derived dendritic cells with human cytomegalovirus inhibits stimulation of T-cell proliferation via the release of soluble CD83". Blood 103 (11): 4207–4215. June 2004. doi:10.1182/blood-2003-12-4350. PMID 14962896.
- "CD83 is preformed inside monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, but it is only stably expressed on activated dendritic cells". The Biochemical Journal 385 (Pt 1): 85–93. January 2005. doi:10.1042/BJ20040741. PMID 15320871.
- "CD83-stimulated monocytes suppress T-cell immune responses through production of prostaglandin E2". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 108 (46): 18778–18783. November 2011. doi:10.1073/pnas.1018994108. PMID 22065790. Bibcode: 2011PNAS..10818778C.
External links
- CD83+protein,+human at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
- Human CD83 genome location and CD83 gene details page in the UCSC Genome Browser.
