CD Markers
CD71

Editorial Board Member: Ricardo R. Lastra, M.D.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Genevieve M. Crane, M.D., Ph.D.
Luca Morelli, M.D.
Claudio Luchini, M.D., Ph.D.

Last author update: 16 November 2020
Last staff update: 14 May 2021

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PubMed Search: CD71[title] pathology

Luca Morelli, M.D.
Claudio Luchini, M.D., Ph.D.
Page views in 2024 to date: 935
Cite this page: Morelli L, Luchini C. CD71. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cdmarkerscd71.html. Accessed March 18th, 2024.
Definition / general
  • CD71 is an integral membrane protein that mediates the uptake of transferrin iron complexes
  • In human tissues, CD71 is more highly expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblast, myocytes, hepatocytes, basal keratinocytes, endocrine cells of the pancreas, spermatocytes and erythroid precursors
  • CD71 is present on actively proliferating cells, essential for iron transport into proliferating cells (benign and malignant)
  • Can be expressed by tumor cells; for example, in breast cancers and squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus
  • Level of transferrin receptor is higher in early erythroid precursors during the intermediate normoblast phase, after which expression decreases through the reticulocyte phase
Essential features
  • CD71 is a robust immunohistochemical marker in gestational pathology, used for identifying nucleated red blood cells that can help in excluding a complete mole, and for identifying chorionic villi to demonstrate gestation even in the case of massive necrotic hemorrhagic modifications
  • In hematopathology, CD71 is very useful because it is expressed only by erythroid precursors within the normal hematopoietic marrow and spleen and can aid in the correct identification of all erythroid precursors
  • CD71 expression is important for the diagnosis of the acute myeloid leukemia M6 (acute erythroleukemia)
Terminology
  • Also known as transferrin receptor
Pathophysiology
  • It is a homodimeric glycoprotein of 760 amino acids that binds to diferric transferrin at the cell surface
  • Binding is followed by the internalization, a mechanism partially regulated by hereditary hemochromatosis protein; diferric iron is subsequently released from transferrin owing to endosomal acidification
Interpretation
  • To be considered positive, immunohistochemistry for CD71 must stain cell membrane
  • Other locations of staining (e.g. nucleus) are considered not reliable
Uses by pathologists
  • CD71 is a robust immunohistochemical marker for the detection of nucleated red blood cells and chorionic villi, especially in presence of necrosis (Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2016;24:215)
  • Demonstration of nucleated red blood cells can be important in molar pathology, helping to exclude a complete mole (Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2016;24:215)
  • Used to detect micronucleated reticulocytes / Howell-Jolly bodies by flow cytometry, also used to test for erythropoietin doping by athletes (Mutat Res 2003;542:77)
  • In hematopathology, CD71 is very useful because it is expressed only by erythroid precursors within the normal hematopoietic marrow and spleen
  • CD71 has particular utility for identification of erythroid precursors, differently from glycophorin that marks all types of red blood cells
  • In hematopathology, it is useful in identifying erythroid precursors in red blood cell hypoplasia and hyperplasia, with or without dyspoietic features (Am J Surg Pathol 2011;35:723)
Less common usage
  • CD71 is also useful in the cytometry evaluation of childhood acute lymphoid leukemia, giving potential information regarding patient survival (Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2012;50:304)
  • In lymph node neoplastic pathology, using flow cytometry, CD71 may be a useful tool in the differential diagnosis between primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma, NOS and in the differential diagnosis between Burkitt lymphoma and CD10+ diffuse large B cell lymphoma, NOS (Cytometry B Clin Cytom 2018;94:459, Am J Clin Pathol 2012;137:665)
Microscopic (histologic) images

Contributed by Luca Morelli, M.D. and Claudio Luchini, M.D., Ph.D.

CD71 in normal bone marrow

CD71 in bone marrow in myelodysplastic syndrome

CD71 in bone marrow in AML M6


CD71 in placental tissue

Glycophorin staining

Positive staining - normal
  • Erythroid precursors, placental syncytiotrophoblast, myocytes, hepatocytes, basal keratinocytes, endocrine cells of the pancreas, spermatocytes and capillary endothelium in the brain
  • Tumor cells may express this marker
Positive staining - disease
Board review style question #1
    In gestational pathology, what can CD71 be used for?

  1. CD71 is a useful marker in gestational pathology only in addition with beta HCG immunohistochemistry
  2. CD71 is not a useful marker in gestational pathology
  3. For staining chorionic villi, also in case of necrotic hemorrhagic modifications and for staining nucleated red blood cells
  4. Only for highlighting nucleated red blood cells
  5. Only for highlighting the presence chorionic villi
Board review style answer #1
C. For staining chorionic villi, also in case of necrotic hemorrhagic modifications and for staining nucleated red blood cells. CD71 is a very useful marker in gestational pathology. It stains chorionic villi, even in case of massive necrotic hemorrhagic modifications. In these cases, CD71 is of great help since hematoxylin eosin staining cannot always permit their identification. It is also useful since it stains nucleated red blood cells that can help in excluding the presence of a complete mole in gestational pathology.

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Reference: CD71
Board review style question #2

    In the immunohistochemical image, which type of cells has been stained by CD71?

  1. Erythrocytes
  2. Erythroid precursors
  3. Mast cells
  4. Myeloid cells
  5. Plasma cells
Board review style answer #2
B. Erythroid precursors. CD71 is a very helpful marker for staining erythroid precursors.

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Reference: CD71
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