Blood Cell Markers and Surface Proteins

Cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry are important adjunctive technologies to the morphologic characterization of blood cells and hematopoietic neoplasms. Although cytochemistry is briefly discussed, the emphasis of this article is on the clinical application of flow cytometry and leukocyte monoclonal antibodies in veterinary medicine. Classification and significance of immunophenotyping in canine and feline lymphomas and immunodeficiencies such as feline immunodeficiency virus and feline Leukemia virus are discussed. Extracellular signalling molecule: an extracellular signalling molecule is produced by one cell and is at least capable of traveling to neighbouring cells. Receptor protein: cells must have cell surface receptor proteins which bind to the signalling molecule and communicate inward into the cell.