Specific monoclonal antibodies against leukocyte-restricted cell surface molecule CD43 react with nonhematopoietic tumor cells.

CD43 is the major sialoglycoprotein found on the surface of cells of hemopoietic origin. Because CD43 is a typical member of the surface mucins, molecules that play a relevant role in tumor progression, we have addressed the expression of CD43 in nonhematopoietic tumor cells. For this purpose, we have tested a broad panel of anti-CD43 antibodies on tumors of different embryonic origins. Of the 17 anti-CD43 mAbs used, 9 reacted with leukocytes in paraffin-fixed formalin-embedded lymph node tissues. Two mAbs, BS1 and L10, stained 24 out of 31 (78%) nonhematopoietic tumors analyzed; ie., some tumors were positive for both antibodies, and others were positive for either L10 or BSL We have also found reactivity of these two anti-CD43 mAbs in 13 out of 20 metastases studied.