The H-RS-like cells in infectious mononucleosis are transformed interdigitating reticulum cells.
The lymphoid tissues from patients with infectious mononucleosis or, less frequently, with other reactive conditions may contain Reed-Sternberg (RS)-like cells. These tissues also contain cells resembling the lacunar cells or lymphocytic/histiocytic (L/H) variants, which are present in the lymphocyte-predominant type of Hodgkin's disease. The phenotype of these RS- and L/H-like cells was determined with a large panel of antibodies and lectins. The cells expressed sialylated Leu-M1, Con A, LN-2, and, less frequently, interleukin-1, S-100, and peanut agglutinin receptor. They reacted negatively with two markers for RS cells, Ki-1 and HeFi-1. These RS-like cells were consistently negative for T- and B-cell markers, including immunoglobulins. The markers of the RS-like cells are distinctly different from those in B-immunoblasts, but closely resemble those in interdigitating reticulum cells. It is concluded that interdigitating reticulum cells, when stimulated, can be transformed into lacunar-, L/H-, or RS-like cells.
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000032:analysis; D006644:Histiocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007375:Interleukin-1; D009418:S100 Proteins; D003208:Concanavalin A