Interaction between host T cells and Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin lymphomas.
Recent studies provide evidence that Reed-Sternberg (R-S) cells produce factors that may explain the characteristic inflammatory infiltrate in the affected tissues of Hodgkin lymphoma. The various chemokines and cytokines that are produced lead to a preferential influx of Th2-type T cells and suppress Th1-type immune responses. Overall, the immunophenotype of the lymphocytes surrounding the R-S cells is consistent with anergic and/or Th2-type T cells. Therefore, these cells do not support a cytotoxic anti-tumor response. Since the R-S cells are neoplastic B cells, the cytokines produced by these T cells may in fact help their growth and/or survival. The production and induction of various other cytokines may also explain the influx of eosinophils (IL-5, eotaxin) and plasma cells (IL-6). Differences in chemokine and cytokine production may be responsible for the differences between the histological subtypes.
Poppema
S
S
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. s.poppema@med.rug.nl
van den Berg
A
A
D002450:Cell Communication; D018925:Chemokines / Q000032:analysis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000502:physiology; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000032:analysis; D016539:Reed-Sternberg Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10