CD43 is a key glycoprotein of thymocytes and T lymphocytes, which affects the physicochemical properties of the T-cell surface and plays a role in lectin binding. This antibody contains an extended rodlike structure that may protrude above the glycocalyx of the cell, allowing accessibility of multiple glycan chains for binding. During T-cell activation CD43 is actively removed from the T-cell-antigen-presenting cell contact site, thus suggesting CD43's role in negative regulation of the adaptive immune response.