CD43

CD43, also called leukosialin or sialophorin, is the most abundant sialoglycoprotein on the surface of most leukocytes, extended about 45 nanometers from the membrane by its heavily O-glycosylated, negatively charged extracellular mucin domain. This structure creates steric anti-adhesive effects, yet CD43 also promotes T-cell activation and migration by engaging ICAM-1, galectin-1 and ERM-linked cytoskeletal elements through its cytoplasmic tail. The molecule is expressed on T cells, NK cells, monocytes, granulocytes and platelets, while mature B cells are characteristically negative. Aberrant CD43 expression in B-cell lymphomas aids diagnosis, and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome disrupts its surface expression.