CD56 (MRQ-42)

CD56 (MRQ-42) belongs to a group of cell adhesion molecules including cadherins, selectins, and integrins. CD56 is involved in cell–cell adhesion of neural cells during embryogenesis and is expressed on most neuroectodermally derived tissues. In normal tissue, anti-CD56 labels neurons, glia, schwann cells, NK (natural killer) cells, and a subset of T-cells. CD56 expression can be seen in most NK cell neoplasms, certain subtypes of T-cell lymphoma and in some plasma cell neoplasms.