17 research outputs found
Frequent expression of haemopoietic and non-haemopoietic antigens by reactive plasma cells: an immunohistochemical study using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue
Unlike other B cells, plasma cells (PC) react
with only a few antibodies against haemopoietic
antigens. We investigated 36 specimens exhibiting a
reactive increase in PC numbers (i.e. plasmacytosis, PC
hyperplasia) with a broad panel of antibodies suitable for
use on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue, and
compared the findings with those obtained in 51 cases of
multiple myeloma (plasmacytoma).
Regardless of the immunostaining pattern for
immunoglobulin light and heavy chains, reactive PC
reacted with at least two and at most six of seventeen
antibodies detecting haemopoietic antigens [Ber-
H2lCD30 (91%), anti-leucocyte common antigen
(LCA)/CD45 (86%), KP1lCD68 (64%), MB2 (57%),
4KB51CD45RA (37%), DF-TllCD43 (28%), UCHL11
CD45RO (20%), L26lCD20 (17%), MT2 (14%) and
Mac387 (g%)], and with at least one and at most four of
six antibodies against non-haemopoietic antigens [antiepithelia1
membrane antigen (EMA) (94%), antivimentin
(77%), anti-pan-cytokeratinIKL1 (74%),
BMA120 (51%) and HMB45 (14%)].
Five antibodies stained reactive PC significantly
more often than neoplastic PC: Ber-H2lCD30
(ps 0.0000), KPllCD68 (ps 0.0000), anti-LCAlCD4.5
(ps 0.0000), anti-EMA (p5 0.0339) and anti-pancytokeratinIKL1
(ps 0.0000). The more frequent and
more heterogeneous expression of antigens by reactive
PC suggests that the aberrant immunoreactivity of neoplastic PC in plasmacytoma is not due to the process
of malignant transformation in an early step of B-cell
differentiation, but could reflect the heterogeneity of
antigen expression by normal PC
Systemic mast cell disease (mastocytosis). General aspects and histopathological diagnosis
Systemic mast cell disease/mastocytosis
(SMCD) is best defined as a multitopic proliferation of
cytologically andlor functionally abnormal tissue mast
cells (TMC). SMCD preferentially involves the bone
marrow, skin, spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. The
histopathological diagnosis of SMCD may be very
difficult to make, and the disease is often not considered
in the differential diagnosis of lymphoreticular
neoplasia. In suspected cases of SMCD, basic dyes such
as Giemsa and toluidine blue are useful to demonstrate
the specific metachromatic granules of TMC. The
naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase reaction has also
proved to be very reliable for enzyme-histochemical
identification of TMC.
Major diagnostic problems may arise in cases of
malignant or «aggressive» SMCD exhibiting tissue
infiltrates consisting predominantly of highly atypical,
non-metachromatic TMC, which are usually also only
weakly reactive for chloroacetate esterase.
Immunostaining with antibodies against the mast
cell-specific proteases tryptase and chymase has proved
to be of great value for establishing the correct diagnosis
in such cases.
Anti-tryptase antibodies have major diagnostic significance due to their extremely high sensitivity and
specificity. The classification of SMCD is controversial,
but there is increasing support for the differentiation of
at least two major subtypes that differ in prognosis: (i) a
benign or «indolent» variant in which skin involvement
(urticaria pigmentosa-like skin lesions) is usual, but
associated malignant hematological disorders are rare;
and (ii) a malignant or «aggressive» variant where skin
involvement is usually absent but concomitant malignant
hematological disorders (myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative
syndromes and acute non-lymphocytic
leukemias) are very common.
Preliminary molecular biological studies of a few
cases of malignant SMCD using the recently developed
HUMARA assay have yielded evidence that the disease
is monoclonal
Clinical and laboratory parameters of mast cell activation as basis for the formulation of diagnostic criteria.
CD34 immunoperoxidase staining for the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Eosinophils and eosinophil-associated disorders: immunological, clinical, and molecular complexity
Eosinophils and their mediators play a crucial role in various reactive states such as bacterial and viral infections, chronic inflammatory disorders, and certain hematologic malignancies. Depending on the underlying pathology, molecular defect(s), and the cytokine- and mediator-cascades involved, peripheral blood and tissue hypereosinophilia (HE) may develop and may lead to organ dysfunction or even organ damage which usually leads to the diagnosis of a HE syndrome (HES). In some of these patients, the etiology and impact of HE remain unclear. These patients are diagnosed with idiopathic HE. In other patients, HES is diagnosed but the etiology remains unknown — these patients are classified as idiopathic HES. For patients with HES, early therapeutic application of agents reducing eosinophil counts is usually effective in avoiding irreversible organ damage. Therefore, it is important to systematically explore various diagnostic markers and to correctly identify the disease elicitors and etiology. Depending on the presence and type of underlying disease, HES are classified into primary (clonal) HES, reactive HES, and idiopathic HES. In most of these patients, effective therapies can be administered. The current article provides an overview of the pathogenesis of eosinophil-associated disorders, with special emphasis on the molecular, immunological, and clinical complexity of HE and HES. In addition, diagnostic criteria and the classification of eosinophil disorders are reviewed in light of new developments in the field