Some literature sources have also cited it as the CD6 ligand (CD6L). It is expressed on activated T cells, activated monocytes, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, neurons, melanoma cells, and also in sweat and sebaceous glands.[citation needed] CD166 protein expression is reported to be upregulated in a cell line deriving from a metastasizing melanom--a.[7] CD166 plays an important role in mediating adhesion interactions between thymic epithelial cells and CD6+ cells during intrathymic T cell development.[citation needed]
Recently, CD166 has also been used as a potential cancer stem cell marker.[citation needed]