Background: CD138, also named syndecan-1, is a member of the syndecan family of four transmembrane proteins capable of binding heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate molecules. Its main function is to control cell growth and differentiation and maintain cell adhesion and migration. Expression of anti-CD138 antibodies in artificial blood cells was restricted to plasma cells in normal bone marrow, and human bone marrow was negative for CD138, an early B-cell precursor. CD138 may help to distinguish viable myeloma cells from apoptotic cells and is also expressed in endothelial cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and normal hepatocytes. CD138 is helpful for the diagnosis of plasmacytoma, but some non-lymphoid hematopoietic tumors (such as squamous cell carcinoma, myoepithelioma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, melanoma) may have plasmacytoid morphology and may also be CD138 positive. Therefore, the diagnosis must be combined with the results of other antibodies.
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