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The cell population of cutaneous B‐cell lymphomas
Author(s) -
WILLEMZE R.,
GRAAFFREITSMA C.B.,
VLOTEN W.A.,
MEIJER C.J.L.M.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1983.tb04592.x
Subject(s) - lymphoma , pathology , antigen , lymph node , b cell , t cell , population , biology , immunology , medicine , antibody , immune system , environmental health
SUMMARY The cellular composition of the dermal infiltrates of eleven patients with a cutaneaous B‐cell lymphoma (four centroblastic lymphomas, two centroblastic/centrocytic lymphomas and five immunocytomas) was investigated. The distribution of both the neoplastic and the non‐neoplastic cells (reactive T cells, macrophages and dendritic reticulum cells) in primary and secondary cutaneous B‐cell lymphomas was very similar to that of B‐cell lymphomas of the same type in lymph nodes. Reactive T cells and dendritic reticulum cells were only occasionally found in centroblastic lymphoma, but were very numerous in centroblastic/centrocytic lymphoma. The large majority of these T cells in centroblastic/centrocytic lymphoma showed the phenotype of activated T‐helper cells (Leu‐1 + , Leu‐3a + , OKT4 + , HLA‐DR + ). In immunocytomas many T cells reactive with Leu‐1, Leu‐3a, and OKT4 but not with anti‐HLA‐DR antiserum, and varying numbers of dendritic reticulum cells were found. Since B‐cell lymphomas in lymph nodes are the neoplastic counterparts of B‐cell reactions which take place after antigenic stimulation in the different lymph node compartments, our results suggest that cutaneous B‐cell lymphomas may be the malignant counterparts of similar B‐cell reactions in the skin.