Editing Cluster of differentiation (section)

{{Short description|Classification in immunology}}
{{See also|List of human clusters of differentiation}}
The '''cluster of differentiation''' (also known as '''cluster of designation''' or '''classification determinant''' and often abbreviated as '''CD''') is a protocol used for the identification and investigation of [[cell surface molecule]]s providing targets for [[immunophenotyping]] of cells.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=CHAN, J. K. C. |last2=NG, C. S. |last3=HUI, P. K. |year=1988 |title=A simple guide to the terminology and application of leucocyte monoclonal antibodies |journal=Histopathology |volume=12 |issue=5 |pages=461–480 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2559.1988.tb01967.x |pmid=3294157 |s2cid=6823812}}</ref> In terms of physiology, CD molecules can act in numerous ways, often acting as [[receptor (biochemistry)|receptors]] or [[ligand (biochemistry)|ligands]] important to the cell. A [[Biochemical cascade|signal cascade]] is usually initiated, altering the behavior of the cell (see [[cell signaling]]). Some CD proteins do not play a role in cell signaling, but have other functions, such as [[cell adhesion]]. <!--There are approximately 250 different proteins.-->[[List of human clusters of differentiation|CD for humans]] is numbered up to 371 ({{As of|2016|04|21|lc=y}}).<ref name="hcdm">{{Cite web |title=HCDM, responsible for HLDA workshop and CD molecules |url=http://www.hcdm.org/MoleculeInformation/tabid/54/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420020358/http://www.hcdm.org/MoleculeInformation/tabid/54/Default.aspx |archive-date=2016-04-20 |access-date=2016-04-21 |publisher=Human Cell Differentiation Molecules Council (successor to the HLDA Workshops)}}</ref><ref name="pmid16020511">{{Cite journal |vauthors=Zola H, Swart B, Banham A, Barry S, Beare A, Bensussan A, Boumsell L, D Buckley C, Bühring HJ, Clark G, Engel P, Fox D, Jin BQ, Macardle PJ, Malavasi F, Mason D, Stockinger H, Yang X |year=2007 |title=CD molecules 2006--human cell differentiation molecules. |journal=J Immunol Methods |volume=319 |issue=1–2 |pages=1–5 |doi=10.1016/j.jim.2006.11.001 |pmid=17174972}}</ref>