CD57

Summary

CD57 is used in the identification and typing of LGL cells helping to differentiate between T- and LGL origin

Background

CD57 is a carbohydrate epitope expressed on the cell surface of T cells and peripheral NK cells where CD57 expression can be regarded as designating terminal differentiation.

Diagnostic Use

• Normal NK cells will express CD57 during response to infection, but expression may be absent or reduced in neoplastic NK cells.
• normal T-LGLs will generally express CD57 and expression in most often retained in T-LGL leukemia, however in common with most T cell antigens expression may be variable and sometimes absent

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