CD78 is aprotein expressed on the surface of some immature and all matureB-cells. It is considered a pan-B cellantigen.[1] Other names includeCdw78, Ba antigen, Leu21 andLO-panB-a.[2]
It is part of theMHC class II.[1]
CD78 is expressed on all stages of B cell development from pre-B cell throughplasma cells.[3] Its expression is strongest on activated B cells.
It is also present on tissuemacrophages and onepithelial cells.[2]
Withflow cytometry, it can be used to detect B cells during many stages of their development.[2] It is one of relatively few markers usefully expressed on plasma cells, and when combined with detection of markers such as CD22, can be used to determine the relative proportion of plasma cells.[3]