Rich,
  We have been using CD138 (Syndecan-1), clone B-B4, from Serotec (cat# MCA681H) for several months now.  It works pretty well for us at 1:25 following HIER in EDTA (steamer for 20 minutes in >95šC EDTA, 0.01M, pH 8.0, followed by a 20 minutes cooldown, rinse, etc.)  In addition to plasma cells, it picks us some types of epithelium.  Also, we have noticed that it does not appear to pick up ALL plasma cells.  For example, in myelomas, all the myeloma/plasmacytoma cells will appear to be positive, but in a normal tonsil, only a fraction of the plasma cells identified by kappa or lambda light chains will be positive.  The reason for this, I don't know.
  Hope this is helpful.  Good luck.

Phyllis Davie


>Does anyone know of a good CD138 antibody that works on formalin-fixed, 
>paraffin-embedded tissue?  Thanks!
>
>RWC
>