Leukocyte antigen CD37 (CD37) (CD37)

Leukocyte antigen CD37 (CD37) is a member of the tetraspanin (transmembrane 4) superfamily, characterized by four hydrophobic transmembrane domains that organize tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TERMs) on the cell surface [1, 5, 6]. It is predominantly expressed on mature B-cells, with minimal expression on T-cells and myeloid cells, and is notably absent on early B-cell precursors and terminally differentiated plasma cells [1, 3, 6]. CD37 plays a critical role in B-cell physiology by facilitating signal transduction and regulating immune responses through interactions with integrins (such as α4β1) and the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway [6, 7]. In B-cell malignancies like Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), CD37 is highly expressed, making it a potent therapeutic target for monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and radioimmunotherapy [2, 3, 9]. These therapies exploit CD37's ability to induce direct apoptosis and mediate immune effector functions like antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) [2, 9]. Recent research also highlights CD37 as a potential target in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), where its expression correlates with disease risk and offers a pathway for targeted cytotoxic delivery [11, 12].

Other names

Tetraspanin-26TSPAN26GP52-40CD37 molecule

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), direct induction of apoptosis, and targeted delivery of cytotoxic payloads or radioisotopes.