Activated killer cell lymphoma: an erythrophagocytic syndrome simulating histiocytic medullary histiocytosis.
We report a detailed analysis of a lymphoma-induced erythrophagocytic syndrome mimicking histiocytic medullary reticulosis. Phenotypic analysis of cell surface molecules demonstrated a T cell-like phenotype. However, more extensive analysis showed that this phenotype was not typical of any element of the normal T cell lineage. The markers were consistent with a subset of natural killer cells, the lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell. The lymphoma cells, like normal LAK cells, were shown to be capable of non-specific cytotoxicity. Moreover, consistent with the reported regulatory effects of certain non-specific killer cells on hemopoiesis, the lymphoma cells were able to suppress in-vitro hemopoiesis, especially maturation of erythroid precursors, although a soluble factor could not be directly demonstrated. Both of these activities were blocked by a monoclonal antibody (9.IC3) which inhibits NK cell function. These findings imply that this tumour is a neoplastic counterpart of the cell identifiable in vitro as an LAK cell.
Boyd
A W
AW
Clinical Research Unit, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Australia.
Ellis
D W
DW
Kannourakis
G
G
Begley
C G
CG
Mackay
I R
IR
Burns
G F
GF
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004912:Erythrocytes; D004920:Erythropoiesis; D054747:Histiocytic Sarcoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010641:Phenotype; D013577:Syndrome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal