Immunohistochemical study of necrotizing lymphadenitis: a possible mechanism for apoptosis involving perforin and granzyme-producing cytotoxic T cells.
Twelve lymph node specimens with necrotizing lymphadenitis and which had florid necrotic lesions were studied immunohistochemically. The majority of viable lymphoid cells in the necrotic foci were CD8+ lymphocytes and KP1+ or PGM1+ phagocytizing macrophages. The CD8+ T cells were Leu1+, Leu2+, Leu3-, Leu4+, Leu5b+, Leu7-, Leu11b- and Leu19-, indicating a suppressor/cytotoxic T cell phenotype. In addition, the cytoplasm of these cells was immunoreactive for perforin and granzyme B in a granular pattern. With a nick end-labeling technique, fragmented nuclei and some lymphoid cell nuclei were positively stained. These results suggest that the necrosis in necrotizing lymphadenitis is apoptotic necrosis of T cells targeted by CD8+, perforin and granzyme-producing, activated cytotoxic T cells, supporting a viral infection etiology.
Mori
N
N
First Department of Pathology, Nagoya University, School of Medicine, Japan.
Yatabe
Y
Y
Asai
J
J
Nagasawa
T
T
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D053804:Granzymes; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D009336:Necrosis; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D054353:Perforin; C509213:GZMB protein, human; D053804:Granzymes; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases