Recognizes the CD45 leukocyte common antigen (LCA) family which is comprised of at least four isoforms of membrane glycoproteins (220, 205, 190, 180kDa) expressed on hematopoietic cell lines but absent on non-hematopoietic cell lines, normal and malignant non-hematopoietic tissues. The intracellular portions of these molecules have protein phosphatase activity and are involved in regulation of transmembrane signals. Antibody to CD45 is useful in differential diagnosis of lymphoid tumors from non-hematopoietic undifferentiated neoplasms. A positive result with this MAb is highly indicative of lymphoid or myeloid origin. Certain types of lymphoid neoplasms may lack CD45 (Hodgkin lymphoma, some T-cell lymphomas, and some leukemias) so its absence does not rule out a hematolymphoid tumor. This antibody is expressed almost exclusively by cells of hematopoietic lineage and is present in most benign and malignant lymphocytes as well as plasma cell precursors.
