Clone T16 produces mouse IgG1 immunoglobulins reactive with a 45 kDa antigen on lymphocytes [3]. CD38, clone T16, is widely used in flow cytometry to study T cell activation, B cell differentiation and in monitoring immunodeficiency diseases. CD38 is also reactive with multiple myelomas, most cases of ALL (both T and B lineage) and some cases of AML. In immunohistochemistry CD38, clone T16, reacts strongly with plasma cells and cortical thymocytes, less strongly with germinal center B cells. In clinical research CD38 is mainly used for leukemia and lymphoma typing and detection of plasma cells [4].
CD38 is present in low density on human B cells and pre-B cells, subsets of CD4 and CD8 T cells, NK cells and monocytes. CD38 is also found in high density on Ig secreting plasma cells, germinal center B cells, mitogen-activated T cells, and several B and T cells. CD38 is a type II membrane glycoprotein, with the transmembrane sequence near the N-terminus. Antibodies to human CD38 have a wide range of biological effects, incuding the induction of B and T cell proliferation, protection of B cells from apoptosis, inhibition of B lymphopoiesis and enhancement of macrophage APC function [2].Synonyms: ADP-ribosyl cyclase 1, Cyclic ADP-ribose hydrolase 1, T10, cADPr hydrolase 1