CD44

CD44 is a non-kinase cell surface transmembrane glycoprotein. It was cloned and classified as a member of the cartilage junction protein family. CD44 is considered to be the major cell surface receptor for hyaluronan, a major extracellular matrix (ECM) component. CD44 is prominently expressed on lymphocytes, smooth muscle, fibroblasts, and various types of epithelium and is involved in lymphocyte homing, cell adhesion and aggregation, cell migration, leukocyte activation, lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis, angiogenesis, and cytokine release.