Table of Contents
Definition / general | Uses by pathologists | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive staining - normal | Positive staining - disease | Negative stainingCite this page: Pernick N. CD52. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/cdmarkerscd52.html. Accessed January 19th, 2021.
Definition / general
- Also called Campath-1 and epididymal secretory protein E5
- CD52 antibodies are lytic for target cells, both with human complement and via antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity
- References: OMIM #114280
Uses by pathologists
- Antibodies (Alemtuzumab) are used for long-term depletion of T lymphocytes from donor marrow to prevent graft versus host disease (Bone Marrow Transplant 2000;26:69, Transplantation 1999;67:620)
- Also to treat refractory CLL; high serum levels are poor prognostic marker in CLL (Cancer 2004;101:999)
- May treat other malignancies (see CD52+ disorders below), including pure red blood cell aplasia (Br J Haematol 2003;123:278)
- Differentiates eosinophils (CD52++) from neutrophils (CD52 weak / negative)
Microscopic (histologic) images
Images hosted on other servers:
Fig 1A/B: normal tonsil shows lymphocytic staining, but there is no staining of connective tissue or vessels;
C: follicular lymphoma is CD52+; D: Reed-Sternberg cells (arrows) are CD52-
Positive staining - normal
- Thymocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes / macrophages, eosinophils, mast cells (Clin Lymphoma Myeloma 2006;6:478) and epithelial cells lining the male reproductive tract
Positive staining - disease
- Most lymphoid malignancies (variable levels, J Clin Pathol 1994;47:313), including lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (100%, Am J Clin Pathol 2005;124:414), myeloma (5-10%, Am J Clin Pathol 2004;121:482) and hairy cell leukemia (Am J Hematol 2003;74:227)
- T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (Leuk Lymphoma 2005;46:723), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (Pediatr Blood Cancer 2005;44:251)
Negative staining
- Neutrophils, Langerhans cells (normal), lymphocytes in paroxysmal nocturnal hemaglobinuria and Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin’s lymphoma