Description
The cluster of differentiation (CD) system is commonly used as cell markers in Immunophenotyping. Different kinds of cells in the immune system can be identified through the surface CD molecules associating with the immune function of the cell. There are more than 320 CD unique clusters and subclusters have been identified. Some of the CD molecules serve as receptors or ligands important to the cell through initiating a signal cascade which then alter the behavior of the cell. Some CD proteins do not take part in cell signal process but have other functions such as cell adhesion. CD140b, also known as PDGFRB, is a member of the CD system. CD140b is a cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor essencial for development interacting with the platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) which serves as mitogens for mesenchymal cells. CD140b can bind with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B, that are secreted by tumors and phosphorylation of PDGFR-β was correlated with depth of cancer invasion at statistically significant level.
