title: Antigenic phenotype of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: an immunohistochemical study demonstrating the value of LN-2, LN-3, and vimentin.
abstract: In order to determine the antigenic phenotype of the proliferating cells in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), we studied 15 such examples by using formalin- and B5-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. We used a panel of antibodies that are known to react with lymphocyte- and histiocyte-associated antigens. These included LN-1, LN-2, and LN-3 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), MoAbs to leukocyte common antigen (LCA), Leu-M1 antigen, vimentin, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), as well as polyclonal antibodies to lysozyme and S100 protein. The antigens encountered most frequently in LCH cells were S100 protein (93% of cases), vimentin (86%), and those detected by LN-2 (80%) and LN-3 (82%). Lysozyme was detected focally in two cases and diffusely in one case. The LCH cells were negative for LN-1, LCA, Leu-M1, and EMA. There was only one specimen in which S100 protein was not demonstrated; in this case, LN-3, vimentin, and T6 on frozen section were positive. The phenotype of LCH cells is similar to that of Langerhans' cells and interdigitating histiocytes. Our results demonstrate the value of using a panel of antibodies, including anti-vimentin MoAb, LN-2, and LN-3 for the immunophenotypic diagnosis of LCH in addition to an antibody to S100 protein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomic Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Azumi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sheibani
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Swartz
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Stroup
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rappaport
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D018396:Mucin-1; D009113:Muramidase / Q000032:analysis; D010641:Phenotype; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018396:Mucin-1; D009418:S100 Proteins; D014746:Vimentin; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D009113:Muramidase