CD24negative

CD24negative refers to cells that lack the expression of CD24 on their surface. CD24, also known as heat-stable antigen (HSA), is a small cell surface glycoprotein that is expressed on a variety of cell types, including B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, granulocytes, and epithelial cells. Its precise function is still being elucidated, but it is known to play roles in cell adhesion, B cell development, and immune regulation.

The absence of CD24 expression, or CD24negativity, can be a characteristic feature of certain cell populations and has clinical relevance in various contexts. For instance, in hematologic malignancies, CD24negativity can be a marker for specific subtypes of leukemia or lymphoma, sometimes correlating with prognosis or treatment response. In solid tumors, CD24 expression levels can vary, and CD24negativity might be observed in certain tumor cell populations, potentially contributing to their behavior, such as resistance to therapy or metastatic potential.

Research has also explored the role of CD24 in stem cell biology. Certain stem cell populations, including hematopoietic stem cells and some types of cancer stem cells, are characterized by low or absent CD24 expression, often in combination with other markers like CD44. This CD24negativity in stem cells is thought to be important for maintaining their self-renewal capacity and multipotency. Therefore, identifying and characterizing CD24negative cells is an active area of investigation in both basic research and clinical diagnostics.