CD21/CR2

CD21, also known as complement receptor 2, is the product of the CR2 gene and functions as the B cell receptor for the C3dg and iC3b fragments of complement component C3. It is expressed on mature resting B cells and on follicular dendritic cells and, together with CD19 and CD81, forms the B cell co-receptor complex that lowers the activation threshold when the BCR engages C3d-opsonized antigen. CD21 also serves as the receptor used by Epstein-Barr virus to infect B lymphocytes. Loss of CD21 expression occurs in some B cell malignancies, and its staining pattern is used in immunophenotyping B cell lymphoproliferative disorders.