CRTAM/CD355

CRTAM (CD355), encoded by the CRTAM gene, is an immunoglobulin superfamily adhesion molecule expressed transiently after activation on CD8 T cells, Th1-polarized CD4 T cells and NK cells. Its described ligand is Nectin-2 (CD112), and the CRTAM-CD112 interaction strengthens heterotypic adhesion between cytotoxic lymphocytes and target or antigen-presenting cells, supporting NK cell cytotoxicity and T cell clustering. CRTAM expression is driven by TCR signaling and is associated with type 1 and Th17-like effector programs; it has been linked to inflammatory conditions including inflammatory bowel disease and asthma, and also participates in cell polarity pathways in epithelial biology.