Siglec 7 is a member of the Siglec (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin like lectin) subgroup of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Siglec 7 is able to mediate high levels of sialic acid-dependent binding to human erythrocytes and soluble sialoglycoconjugates. Addition of anti-Siglec 7 to haematopoietic cell cultures leads to reduced cell growth and prevents the development of dendritic cells. Predominantly expressed by resting and activated natural killer cells and at lower levels by granulocytes and monocytes. High expression can be found in tissues like the placenta, liver, lung, spleen, and peripheral blood leukocytes.
