CD22,also known as Siglec-2 (sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin 2) or BL-CAM (B-lymphocyte cell adhesion molecule),is a 130-140 kDa,B-cell restricted,type I transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin gene superfamily. The expression of CD22 is developmentally regulated. It is expressed at low levels in the cytoplasm of pro-B and pre-B cells and present on the cell surface only at mature stages of B-cell differentiation. Cell surface expression is lost during terminal differentiation into plasma cell and after B-cell activation. CD22 is an inhibitory receptor for B-cell receptor (BCR) signalling,preferentially binds to alpha-2,6-linked sialic acid and mediates B-cell B-cell interactions. It plays a crucial role in activation and differentiation of the B-cell.
