IgM

Immunoglobulin monomers (Igs) are composed of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. Variations in the Fc region of the heavy chains distinguishes five different classes of Igs (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM). Each of these classes can be expressed on the B-cell membrane, and more than one heavy chain class can be expressed by the same cell. In normal, healthy serum IgM is generally the third most abundant of the Ig classes. Igs are produced in mature B-cells and plasma cells, and the amount and type of Ig can vary in different stages of B-cell maturation: Igs in the earlier stages of maturation are present in the cytoplasm, whereas surface Igs are more characteristic of mature B-cells in the mantle zone. Plasma cells lose membranous expression of Igs, but accumulate them at a high level in the cytoplasm and can secrete them into the extracellular space. B-cell derived neoplasms, such as B-cell lymphoma, and plasma cell neoplasms often produce only one type of clonal Ig light chain

Intended use

Anti-IgM antibody is useful for classifying B-cell lymphomas and plasma cell neoplasms when used with a panel of other antibodies

Specifications
product code: 8385-C010	Clone: Poly [Rabbit]
Staining pattern: Cytoplasmic and membranous staining	Control tissue: Tonsil
Assessment criteria
A strong cytoplasmic reaction in plasma cells and immunoblasts and a moderate to strong staining reaction of the follicular dendritic network in the germinal centres of the tonsils
An at least moderate distinct, predominantly membranous staining reaction of virtually all mantle zone B-cells of the germinal centres in the tonsils
No staining of T-cells
No more than a weak background staining