Intra-tumoral cytolytic cells: pattern of distribution in B-cell non Hodgkin s lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin s lymphomas (NHLs) constitute a heterogeneous group of lymphoid neoplasms and a majority of them in India are of B-cell phenotype. Varying numbers of T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells are consistently present within the lymph nodes (LNs). The role of these reactive cells is becoming understood. TIA-1 is a cytotoxic granule associated RNA binding protein, the expression of which is restricted to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and NK cells. Snap frozen lymph node biopsies obtained from 41 B-cell NHLs were localized for intra-tumoral TIA-1 + cytolytic cells by immunohistochemistry. Distribution of T cell subsets and NK cells were also quantified. Cells expressing TIA-1 antigen was observed in all the cases, seen as a strong granular cytoplasmic signal. Results indicate significantly higher number of TIA-1 cytolytic cells outside (periphery of the follicle and interfollicular areas) than within the neoplastic follicle in follicular lymphomas (p<0.001). In small lymphocytic lymphomas, cytolytic cells were mainly seen as uniformly scattered single cells, distributed throughout the tumor environment. In mantle cell and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas these were most often seen as small clusters and less frequently as singly scattered cells. Higher numbers of CD4 + than the CD8 + T cells were observed in most cases. Contrary to the follicles in follicular hyperplasia, CD57 + NK cells were predominantly observed outside the neoplastic follicle in follicular lymphomas (FLs). These results outline specific interactions between the potential anti-tumoral cytolytic and the malignant cells of B-cell NHLs.
Tata Memorial Centre, Cancer Research Institute, Parel, Mumbai, India.
S
S
Perambakam
K
K
Naresh
A
A
Nerurkar
J
J
Nadkarni
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D018959:CD57 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D039102:Poly(A)-Binding Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D000074019:T-Cell Intracellular Antigen-1; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
D018959:CD57 Antigens; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D039102:Poly(A)-Binding Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D000074019:T-Cell Intracellular Antigen-1; C071558:TIA1 protein, human