CD43

Summary

Diagnostically the vlaue of CD43 relates to its variable expression between different B-lymphocyte neoplasms that gives it some diagnostic value in the recognition of CLL.

Background

CD43 sialophorin that is widely expressed accross T lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes. In the B-cell lineage however CD43 has vaiable expression being mainly present on normal activated B lymphocytes, but absent from resting B cells - this variable expression give the marker value in the diagnosis of B-lymphocyte neoplasms.

Diagnostic Use

• CD43 is expressed by 95% of CLL including atypical cases, while in MCL it is expressed by around 40% of cases, this gives it some value in diagnosing cases of atypical CLL although it is probably less useful than CD200 for distinguishing CLL and MCL.
• CD43 is rarely expressed in follicular lymphoma.

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