Podoplanin is a transmembrane mucoprotein (38 kD) recognized by the monoclonal antibody D2-40. Podoplanin is selectively expressed in normal and malignant lymphoid endothelium, including Kaposi’s sarcoma. Podoplanin has also been shown to be expressed in epithelioid mesotheliomas and seminomas.
It is useful in the diagnosis of tumors derived from lymphatic endothelium and in determining the presence of lymphatic infiltration and metastasis in other tumor tissues.