3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (CD15) (CD15)

CD15, also known as 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine or Lewis X (LeX), is a carbohydrate antigen primarily expressed on mature neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes (Source: UniProt P19526). It is synthesized by fucosyltransferases, such as FUT4 and FUT9, and serves as a key mediator in the inflammatory response by facilitating leukocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium via E-selectin (Source: PubMed PMID: 15507674). In clinical practice, CD15 is a hallmark diagnostic biomarker used to identify Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma, distinguishing it from other lymphoproliferative disorders (Source: StatPearls, Hodgkin Lymphoma). Beyond its role as a marker, CD15 is involved in phagocytosis and chemotaxis, essential processes for innate immunity (Source: PubMed PMID: 11544310). Although its high expression on normal myeloid cells presents significant safety hurdles for systemic therapy, it has been targeted in diagnostic imaging, such as with the radiolabeled antibody fanolesomab (Source: FDA, NeutroSpec). Research also suggests that CD15 expression on cancer cells may promote metastasis by allowing tumor cells to mimic leukocyte rolling behavior (Source: PubMed PMID: 24631835). Consequently, CD15 remains a critical focus for both diagnostic pathology and the study of cell-adhesion-mediated disease progression.

Other names

Lewis XLeX3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine3-FALStage-specific embryonic antigen 1SSEA-1

Binding of monoclonal antibodies to the CD15 carbohydrate epitope to facilitate diagnostic imaging of infection sites or identification of specific malignant cell populations.