CD44 is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein also known as Phagocytic Glycoprotein 1(pgp 1) and HCAM. CD44 is the receptor for hyaluronate and exists as a large number of different isoforms due to alternative RNA splicing. The major isoform expressed on lymphocytes, myeloid cells and erythrocytes is a glycosylated type 1 transmembrane protein. Other isoforms contain glycosaminoglycans and are expressed on hematopoietic and non hematopoietic cells.CD44 is involved in adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells,stromal cells and the extracellular matrix.