CD123

Background

CD123 is the interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain, which belongs to the type I cytokine receptor family. CD123 and CD131 (interleukin-3β receptor) form a heterodimer to form an interleukin-3 receptor. The α subunit is responsible for the specificity of cytokines, and the β subunit is responsible for the signaling function. CD123 is expressed in monocytes, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, megakaryocytes, red blood cell precursors, mast cells, macrophages and some B cell subpopulations. It is often used in combination with CD68, CD43, and CD4 for the diagnosis of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell tumors (BPDC).