The role of CD45 in T-cell activation — resolving the paradoxes?

CD45 is one of the most abundant transmembrane glycoproteins expressed on the surface of haematopoietic cells. Despite the striking advances of the past few years in the understanding of the actions of CD45 at a molecular level, several paradoxes remain. This article argues that these paradoxes are more apparent than real, and suggests that CD45 plays a key role on the T-cell surface in regulating coupling of the antigen-receptor complex to intracellular signalling pathways.