Tspan33 is Expressed in Transitional and Memory B Cells, but is not Responsible for High ADAM10 Expression

Tetraspanins are a family of transmembrane proteins that form membrane microdomains. They play important roles in migration, adhesion and other cellular processes. TspanC8, a subfamily of tetraspanins, was found to associate and promote ADAM10 trafficking and cell surface localization. One of its members, Tspan33, is expressed in activated B cells. Using RT-PCR and flow cytometry, we analysed the pattern of expression of Tspan33 in B cells from healthy donors. We found Tspan33 expression in early and late stages of B cell development. However, Tspan33 expression did not correlate with ADAM10 surface expression. We also found expression of Tspan33 early in the activation process. Given its predominant expression in activated B cells and in several lymphomas, but not in naive B cells, we hypothesize that Tspan33 could be a potential target for therapeutic purposes.