CD31

Also designated platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1). This is a 120-130 kD membrane glycoprotein found at endothelial cell junctions and on the surface of platelets. It plays a role in thrombosis, woudn-healing and angiogenesis. Its is a ligand for CD38.

Antibodies are effective on paraffin-embedded tissue4.

Immunohistochemical expression

• endothelial cells, including the sinusoidal endothelial cells of liver, lymph nodes and spleen which stain variably for Ulex europaeus and factor VIII-related protein

• megakaryocytes and platelets

• monocytes / macrophages

• granulocytes

• B lymphocytes, particularly of the follicular mantle2, plasma cells2 and some extramedullary plasmacytomas2

• vascular tumours: sensitivity for both benign and malignant tumours is almost 100%2,3

• Kaposi's sarcoma shows staining which is usually but not invariably confined to the angiomatoid areas, with negativity of the spindle cell areas.2 CD34 is a more sensitive marker for Kaposi's sarcoma than is CD313.

• lymphangiomas; these stain less strongly than do vascular tumours

• occasional Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumours

• rarely in carcinomas and mesotheliomas

• some lymphomas

A large series of vascular and non-vascular tumours were investigated for CD31 and CD34 immunoreactivity for comparison with FKBP12.

Diagnostic utility

• Identification of endothelial tumours: it is more sensitive and specific than CD34, factor VIII-related antigen or Ulex europaeus agglutinin3.

References

1BR DeYoung et al. CD31 immunoreactivity in mesenchymal neoplasms of the skin and subcutis. J Cutn Pathol 1995;22:215-222.

2Nicholson, S. A., McDermott, M. B., DeYoung, B. R., Swanson, P. E. CD31 immunoreactivity in small round cell tumors. Appl Immunohistochem Molecul Morphol 2000;8:19-24.

3Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry edited by Professor D. J. Dabbs, page 71

4Leong A S-Y, Cooper K and Leong FJ W-M. Manual of diagnostic antibodies for immunohistology. 2nd edition, 2003

This page last revised 21.12.2001.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop