Hematopoietic cell differentiation antigens (CD system 1997). Cancer research relevance.

The 6th International Workshop on Leukocyte Antigens (white cell differentiation antigens) continued the international cooperative effort aimed at characterization of all leukocyte cell surface antigens with respect to their biochemical properties, cell- and cell line expression, molecular and cellular function(s) and eventual disease relevance. Significantly, among 36 newly defined CD clusters identified with the aid of numerous monoclonal antibodies submitted to the workshop [17], 8 new clusters belonged to the endothelial section, 6 new CD clusters were identified within cytokine receptor section and 5 such clusters were characterized in the adhesion structure section, i.e. as antigens with the pattern of expression also on cells, tissues and cell lines outside the hematopoietic system (Tables 1-3). Minority of newly defined clusters appurtened to lineage-specific or non-lineage hematopoietic differentiation antigens (Table 4), i.e. 5 new CD clusters within myeloid section, 3 new clusters within both non-lineage and NK antigens, 2 T-cell antigens and one new CD cluster defined within both B-cell or platelet sections.