CD138

CD138 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in different stages of normally differentiated lymphocytes, including pre-B cells, immature B cells, plasma cells, on the basal membrane of epithelial cells, embryonic stromal cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and neuronal cells. It can be used to determine plasma cells in bone marrow biopsy specimens and in mature B-cell tumors. CD138 positivity suggests plasma cell/postfollicular differentiation.