title: Immunological markers and DNA content in a case of giant lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman's disease).
abstract: Little is known about the immunologic characteristics of the cells in giant lymph node hyperplasia (GLNH). For this reason, cell surface markers and intracytoplasmic immunoglobulins were determined on a case of GLNH. In addition, cellular DNA content was determined by flow analysis. A 59-year-old male underwent thoracotomy for a posterior madiastinal mass, which was entirely excised. Histologically, the mass was diagnosed as GLNH with features of both the hyaline-vascular and plasma-cell types. Preoperatively, the patient had a broad-based hypergammaglobulinemia with an increase in serum IgG. Two months postoperatively, the serum protein electrophoresis had returned to normal. Surface immunoglobulins (SIg) were determined on fresh cells in suspension using a polyvalent antiserum and monospecific antisera against heavy and light chains. Ten percent of the cells had SIg. The distribution of SIg-bearing cells was polyclonal. Intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin (CIg), as determined by immunofluorescence on ethanol-fixed smears from the cell suspensions, showed 6% positive cells. The distribution of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin was similarly polyclonal. Ethanol-fixed frozen sections also showed a polyclonal pattern when stained for CIg. Fifty-two percent of fresh cells in suspension formed Erosettes. These immunologic characteristics do not differ from those observed in non-neoplastic lymphoid tissues. A DNA content histogram was obtained by flow microfluorometry using ethanol-fixed cells stained with propidium iodide following RNase treatment. The DNA content distribution was within the normal limits established by the study of non-neoplastic lymphoid tissues.
mesh_terms: D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D012397:Rosette Formation
chemical_list: D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D004247:DNA