CD200 has an important role in the differential diagnosis of mature B-cell neoplasms by multiparameter flow cytometry.
BACKGROUND
Multiparameter flow cytometry is a useful tool for the diagnostic evaluation of mature B-cell neoplasms (MBN). Recently, it has been shown that CD200 may improve the distinction between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; CD200+) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL; CD200-), but the role of CD200 expression in atypical CLL and other MBN remains to be established.


METHODS
To address this issue, we investigated the expression of CD200 in 159 consecutive cases of MBN.


RESULTS
CD200 was strongly expressed in CLL and was revealed to be an excellent marker to distinguish CLL from MCL, even in cases of atypical CLL. However, lack of CD200 was not an exclusive finding of MCL, being also observed in other MBNs. Furthermore, CD200 was highly expressed in hairy cell leukemia, being useful in the differential diagnosis of lymphomas with villous lymphocytes. Herein, we propose an algorithm to classify CD5+ MBNs based on the expression of CD200, CD11c, heavy chain immunoglobulins, and Matutes score.


CONCLUSIONS
These results expand the understanding of the CD200 expression in MBNs, giving further support for the inclusion of this marker in the routine investigation by flow cytometry.
Division of Hematology, Fleury Group, São Paulo, Brazil.
Alex F
AF
Sandes
Maria
M
de Lourdes Chauffaille
Cláudia Regina M C
CR
Oliveira
Yumi
Y
Maekawa
Nair
N
Tamashiro
Tânia T
TT
Takao
Estela C
EC
Ritter
Edgar G
EG
Rizzatti
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D020522:Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015703:Antigens, CD; C042739:antigens, CD200
CD200; chronic lymphocytic leukemia; flow cytometry; lymphoma; mantle cell lymphoma