CD37/Tspan-26

CD37, also called Tspan-26, is a four-pass transmembrane tetraspanin expressed most prominently on mature B cells, with weaker presence on T cells, myeloid cells and other leukocytes. Within tetraspanin-enriched microdomains it organizes membrane partners, including MHC class II molecules and integrins, and its cytoplasmic C-terminus modulates B-cell receptor and Toll-like receptor signaling. CD37-deficient mice and rare human cases reveal impaired humoral immunity, indicating a positive role in adaptive B-cell responses. Because expression is dense and B-cell restricted, CD37 is exploited as a target for antibody-drug conjugates such as naratuximab in lymphoma clinical trials.