Phenotype and genotype of interfollicular large B cells, a subpopulation of lymphocytes often with dendritic morphology.
We describe large B cells, many of which have a stellate or dendritic morphology, found in the interfollicular T-cell-rich areas of human peripheral lymphoid tissue. These B cells probably require CD40/CD40 ligand signaling for their generation and have a unique phenotype and a post-germinal center pattern of immunoglobulin gene mutation. The only comparable B cell is the "asteroid" cell of the thymic medulla. Their anatomic location and pattern of gene mutation suggest that these cells may represent the cell of origin of some human large-cell lymphomas. Studies in experimental animals should help to elucidate the role of these cells in the immune response.
Marafioti
Teresa
T
Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom. teresa.marafioti@ndcls.ox.ac.uk
Jones
Margaret
M
Facchetti
Fabio
F
Diss
Tim C
TC
Du
Ming-Qing
MQ
Isaacson
Peter G
PG
Pozzobon
Michela
M
Pileri
Stefano A
SA
Strickson
Amanda J
AJ
Tan
Soo-Yong
SY
Watkins
Fiona
F
Mason
David Y
DY
D000941:Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000378:metabolism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D003712:Dendrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000941:Antigens; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D005819:Genetic Markers; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D023201:CD40 Ligand