Description
Recognizes an integral membrane glycoprotein of 150kDa, identified as CD13 (also known as aminopeptidase-N). The CD13 antigen is present on most cells of myeloid origin including granulocytes, monocytes, mast cells, and GM-progenitor cells. It is also expressed by the majority of AML, CML in myeloid blast crisis, and in a smaller fraction of lymphoid leukemias. CD13 is absent from normal lymphocytes, platelets and erythrocytes. CD13 is also present on fibroblasts; endothelial cells, epithelial cells from renal proximal tubules and intestinal brush border, bone marrow stromal cells, osteoclasts, and cells lining bile duct canaliculi. CD13 is identical to aminopeptidase N (APN), a prominent membrane-bound metalloprotease present on the surface of intestinal brush border and renal tubules. CD13 plays a role in metabolism of biologically active peptides, in phagocytosis, and in bactericidal/tumoricidal activities. It also serves as a receptor for human coronaviruses (HCV). The lineage-restricted pattern of expression of CD13 within the hemopoietic compartment suggests that it may be important in myeloid cell differentiation