The 2G8 monoclonal antibody specifically binds to the mouse C-X-C Chemokine Receptor type 5, CXCR5. CXCR5 is also known as CD185, BLR1, NLR and MDR15. CXCR5 is a seven-transmembrane, G-protein-coupled receptor that is specific for the CXC chemokine, CXCL13/BLC/BCA-1. The expression of CXCR5 has been detected in spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, brain, bone marrow, T cells, B cells, cerebrum, cerebellum, hippcampus and pituitary. In mouse spleen, CXCR5 was strictly expressed by mature B cells and a small subset of T lymphocytes. CXCR5 plays a role in directing the migration of B and T cells to B cell follicles with the spleen and certain other lymphoid tissues. The immunogen used to generate 2G8 hybridoma was a recombinant protein containing N-terminal amino acids of mouse CXCR5 (GST-NmBLR1).