CD38

CD38 is a 45kDa transmembrane molecule, encoded on chromosome 4. It belongs to a family of proteins which are involved in the production of calcium mobilising compounds. In leukocytes it acts as a receptor in adhesion and signalling pathways¹. A ligand for CD38 is the adhesion molecule CD31³.

Antibodies are effective on paraffin-embedded tissue².

Immunohistochemical expression

early bone marrow CD34-positive precursors¹

• thymic cells¹

  activated T cells¹

  precursor and activated B cells, including plasma cells¹

• monocytes

• most peripheral NK cells¹

CD38 has a wider spectrum of B-cell staining than does CD138

Diagnostic utility

• plasma cells are characteristically CD38+ / CD45-. CD38 is a more sensitive marker for plasma cells than is VS38

• CD38 is a strong prognostic marker by flow cytometry in CLL, correlating with unmutated IgVH genes and a worse prognosis¹.

References

¹Matutes E. New additions to antibody panels in the characterisation of chronic lymphoproliferative disorders. J Clin Pathol 2002;55:180-183.

²Leong A S-Y, Cooper K and Leong FJ W-M. Manual of diagnostic antibodies for immunohistology. 2nd edition, 2003

³Vallario A, Chilosi M, Adami F et al. Human myeloma cells express the CD38 ligand CD31. British Journal of Haematology 1999;105:441-4.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop