Monocytoid/marginal zone B-cell differentiation in follicle centre cell lymphoma

We report on two cases of low grade follicle centre cell lymphoma with a pronounced parafollicular monocytoid/marginal zone B-cell component. One patient had a history of preceeding follicular high grade B-cell lymphoma of centroblastic type showing the same light chain restriction and identical immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement as the low grade lymphoma diagnosed 15 months later. Morphologically, in both cases the two constituents of the low grade tumours were clearly distinguishable. Immunohistochemically, the follicular component strongly expressed bcl-2 protein in contrast to a weak staining of the marginal zone B-cell component. Performing PCR, a rearrangement of the major breakpoint region of bcl-2 was not found. Identical light chain restriction of the follicular and the monocytoid B-cell/marginal zone components strongly indicates a clonal relationship between them. A monocytoid/marginal zone B-cell component in follicular lymphoma probably results from differentiation of the follicle centre cells and does not indicate a composite lymphoma.     

Analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes rearrangement by PCR from paraffin-embedded tissue in B-cell lymphomes in Tunisia

OBJECTIVE: To study the lymphoid clonality on Tunisian B-cell lymphomas cases by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques using DNA from paraffin-embedded tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Here we conducted a retrospective PCR clonality study on 73 cases of B-cell lymphomas and 12 reactive lymphoid tissues. The quality of DNA extracted was tested by beta-globin PCR. Consensus primers directed at the FRIII-VH and FRII-VH regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene were used to detect clonality. RESULTS: The results showed that 52 of 73 (71%) B-cell lymphomas exhibited good quality of amplifiable DNA. Clonality was found in 77% of cases using the set of primers FRIIIa/LJH/VLJH and in 65.5% using the set of primers FRIIa/LJH/VLJH. Lymphomas derived from pregerminal centre showed a high rate detection of clonal IgH gene rearrangement (100%) compared to other group of tumors derived from germinal centre or postgerminal centre (74.5%). None of the polyclonal controls gave a clonal pattern. CONCLUSION: This is the first large series of PCR clonality study of IgH gene rearrangements on B-cell lymphoma from Tunisia. Our results were similar to other reports in terms of sensitivity and specificity of these techniques and confirm the interest of that PCR for detecting clonal IgH gene rearrangements in lymphoma.     

Relative distribution of tumour cells and reactive cells in follicular lymphoma

Follicular lymphoma is the most common low-grade B-cell lymphoma. It is characterized by at least a partial follicular growth pattern in the majority of cases, by the morphological resemblance of the tumour cells to follicle centre centroblasts and centrocytes, and by the distinctive expression of Bcl-2 protein as a consequence of a translocation between chromosomes 14 and 18, resulting in the juxtaposition of Bcl-2 and the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus. It is not known whether the follicular growth pattern of follicular lymphoma is a consequence of properties of the tumour cells, or whether the tumour cells invade and gradually occupy a niche generated by a normal T-cell-dependent B-cell response. This study has identified cases of follicular lymphoma in which the tumour cells are apparent within a normal reactive germinal centre background. The reactive background has been investigated in these cases and also in cases showing a more characteristic appearance, in which entire malignant follicles appear to be Bcl-2-positive, as assessed by microdissection and analysis of clonality by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A reactive oligoclonal background was observed in all cases studied, characteristic of a normal follicle centre response. These data suggest that the progression of follicular lymphoma is dependent on the normal germinal centre microenvironment. Disruption of this dependence might be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy.     

Zonal distribution of immunoglobulin-synthesizing cells within the germinal centre: an in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical study

Immunohistologic studies have shown that synthesis of cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (cIg) is a normal function of some follicle centre cells (FCCs). The mechanisms regulating this synthesis of immunoglobulin and its function within the germinal centre are still poorly understood. In this study we applied a recently developed in situ hybridization method for the detection of kappa and lambda light chain mRNA to reactive lymph nodes and tonsils in order to investigate further the immunoglobulin-synthesizing cells of the germinal centre. FCCs containing detectable levels of light chain mRNA corresponded closely to cells containing cIg. The detection of light chain mRNA rather than its immunoglobulin product was found to be an advantage in that problems associated with the detection of extracellular immunoglobulin were eliminated. This was most apparent in germinal centres where the absence of 'network' immunoglobulin led to the observations that immunoglobulin-synthesizing FCCs are predominantly small centrocytes and that in a proportion of germinal centres they localize in that part of the light zone closest to the dark zone. This zonal distribution of immunoglobulin-synthesizing FCCs raises the possibility of further functional and micro-environmental subcompartments within the light zone.     

Multiple lymphomatous polyposis of the gastrointestinal tract is a heterogenous group that includes mantle cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma: analysis of somatic mutation of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene variable region.

Multiple lymphomatous polyposis (MLP) is characterized by multiple polyps involving long segments of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. MLP is thought to represent mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) of the GI tract; however, some cases of follicular lymphoma (FL) of the GI tract are found with a multiple polypoid appearance. In the present study, to clarify the cellular origin of MLP, clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement of four cases with MLP was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed for the presence of somatic mutation. The IgH variable (VH) region sequences of three cases (CD5+ CD10- cyclin D1+) showed a little somatic mutation compared with the closest published germline. The other case (CD10+ CD5- cyclin D1-) was highly mutated and showed intraclonal heterogeneity (ongoing somatic hypermutation). These data indicate that three of the cases with MLP are derived from pregerminal center B cells (mantle zone B cells) and one case with MLP from germinal center B cells. Our study suggests that MLP is a heterogenous group that includes MCL and FL.     

PCR-based clonality analysis of B-cell lymphomas in paraffin-embedded tissues: diagnostic value of immunoglobulin kappa and lambda light chain gene rearrangement investigation

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analysis, employed for detecting immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangements, has become a diagnostic tool widely used in the investigation of B-cell lymphomas, but the overall sensitivity of these methods does not exceed 80%, notably in germinal center (GC) and post-GC B-cell origin lymphomas. Many PCR strategies devised for detecting immunoglobulin light chain (IgL) gene rearrangements have been developed to enhance the clonality detection rates. However, the feasibility of these methods in routine clinical diagnosis using paraffin-embedded tissues has not yet been investigated sufficiently. We studied a large series of 108 cases of B-cell lymphomas, as well as 20 reactive lymphoid tissues using degenerate primers to amplify immunoglobulin kappa (Igkappa) and lambda (Iglambda) light chain genes. B-cell clonality was further investigated using semi-nested PCR for IgH gene rearrangements. B-cell clonality was detected in 74%, 56.5%, and 43.5% of cases using IgH, Igkappa, and Iglambda PCR, respectively. By combining these methods, the clonality detection rate increased to 93.5%. Only polyclonal patterns were noted in reactive lymphoid samples. We concluded that in addition to the established methods for IgH analysis, a PCR-based approach for IgL gene rearrangements analysis improves the clonality detection rate in over 90% of B-cell lymphoma cases using routine histological specimens with poor preservation of the genomic DNA.     

滤泡型淋巴瘤中t(14;18)染色体易位的分析及其临床意义

目的探讨滤泡型淋巴瘤（FL）的分子遗传学特征及其在病理诊断中的意义。方法收集55例FL石蜡标本,对照组小B细胞淋巴瘤28例和反应性滤泡增生（RFH）10例,应用套式PCR技术检测FL中,免疫球蛋白重链基因（IgH）的克隆性重排;应用标准PCR技术检测55例FL中t（14;18）易位,以10例RFH做对照;采用双色荧光原位杂交（FISH）技术检测20例淋巴结FL中t（14;18）易位,以4例RFH作为对照;并与PCR检测结果进行比较。结果（1）55例FL中,结内49例,结外6例。男性33例,女性22例,男女比为1．5：1。发病年龄36—79岁（中位年龄57岁）;FL分级：FL1—3分别为25例、19例和11例。（2）55例中50例（90％）检出β-肌动蛋白（actin）,该50例中FR3A阳性24例（48％）,FR2阳性25例（50％）,其中15例（30％）呈FR3A和FR2双阳性,共34例（68％）IgH基因重排。对照组小B细胞淋巴瘤28例中,25例检出β—actin,其中FR3A阳性18例（64％）,FR2阳性17例（61％）,共24例（86％）可检测出克隆性IgH基因重排。4例RFH均未检出IgH基因重排。（3）在44例结内FL中检出15例（34％）t（14;18）易位,其中14例在MBR,1例在mcr。（4）20例中,有16例（80％）可检出t（14;18）易位。结论（1）IgH克隆性重排在FL中的检测率比其他小B淋巴细胞低。（2）FISH检测石蜡包埋组织中t（14;18）易位有助于FL的诊断。FISH比PCR的敏感性更好,操作简便,可用于检测石蜡包埋组织中的分子遗传学改变。     

Increase of bone marrow lymphocytes in systemic mastocytosis: reactive lymphocytosis or malignant lymphoma? Immunohistochemical and molecular findings on routinely processed bone marrow biopsy specimens

AIMS: To clarify the nature (reactive or neoplastic) of lesional, perifocally aggregated lymphocytes in bone marrow infiltrates of systemic mastocytosis (SM), the histopathology of which can resemble malignant lymphoma with focal bone marrow involvement, particularly low grade malignant B cell lymphoma of lymphoplasmacytic immunocytoma subtype, which frequently exhibits increased mast cell (MC) numbers. METHODS: Thirteen cases of SM and three of lymphoplasmacytic immunocytoma with predominant focal bone marrow infiltration were investigated. Immunostaining of formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded bone marrow specimens was performed using antibodies against CD2, CD5, CD20, CD23, and CD25; kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains; and MC markers chymase, tryptase, and CD117 (KIT). Monoclonal rearrangements of IgH and TCRgamma were studied using seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). c-kit point mutation Asp816-Val was detected by PNA mediated PCR clamping and hybridisation probes. RESULTS: The lymphocytic clusters in SM contained nearly equal numbers of mature T and B cells, the latter with no coexpression of aberrant antigens, such as CD5 or CD23. Most MCs in SM cases constantly coexpressed tryptase, CD25, and CD117. No monoclonal rearrangements were seen for IgH or TCRgamma. In contrast, B cells from immunocytomas showed light chain restriction and monoclonal rearrangement for IgH, confirming their neoplastic nature. c-kit point mutation Asp816-Val was found in ten of 13 SM cases, but in none of the three immunocytomas. CONCLUSIONS: Focal accumulations of lymphocytes in the bone marrow of SM are reactive in nature and could be termed lymphocytosis. A diagnosis of SM-AHNMD/immunocytoma should not be made.     

PCR analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) and TcR-gamma chain gene rearrangements in the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorders: results of a study of 525 cases.

This report summarizes a cumulative 4-year experience in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of immunoglobin heavy chain (IgH) and TcR-gamma chain gene rearrangements in 525 cases of lymphoproliferative disorders. Because the sensitivity of the PCR methodology was found to be tissue dependent, in the study of the presence of clonal cell population in tissues containing a small number of polyclonal lymphocytes, such as skin and gastrointestinal biopsy specimens, we used the multiple-PCR run approach. In this latter methodology, we repeat the PCR reaction from the same sample at least three times to confirm the reproducibility of the results. In the study of 273 cases of B- or T-cell lymphomas with characteristic immunomorphological and clinical features, a clonal IgH or TcR-gamma chain gene rearrangement was detected in approximately 80% of cases. A clonal rearrangement involving both IgH and TcR-gamma chain genes was found in 10% of cases of both B-cell and T-cell lymphomas. The study of 167 cases of nonneoplastic lymphoid tissue samples showed the presence of clonally rearranged cell populations for IgH or TcR-gamma genes in 3 and 9% of cases, respectively. We also applied PCR for the study of 85 cases of lymphoproliferations with no definite diagnosis (i.e., benign versus malignant) after immunomorphological analysis. In 65 cases (76%), the correlation of immunomorphological features with the presence (48 cases) or the absence (17 cases) of clonal lymphoid cell populations led to a definite diagnosis. In almost all these cases, the final diagnosis was found to be in agreement with the clinical course. In the 20 remaining cases (24%), no definite diagnosis could be made. We also assessed the value of PCR in detecting bcl-2/J(H) gene rearrangement as an additional clonal marker in the diagnosis of follicular lymphoma. Bcl-2/J(H) rearrangement and/or IgH gene rearrangement was found in approximately 85% (71/85) of follicular lymphoma cases studied.     

Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement analysis in composite hodgkin disease and large B-cell lymphoma: evidence for receptor revision of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes in Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg cells?

Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH) rearrangement was studied in a patient showing the occurrence of classical Hodgkin disease and large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) in the same lymph node. The VHDHJH region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, the template being the DNA extracted from single Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg and LBCL cells, microdissected on hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections by laser capture. A repeated VH4DH3JH4 segment was found in Reed-Sternberg cells, whereas a repeated VH3DH3JH4 segment was observed in LBCL cells. Rearranged VH genes carried somatic mutations in both populations, indicating a common germinal center cell origin. The IgH rearrangement found in clonally related Reed-Sternberg cells differed from the one of LBCL cells in the VH region but showed the same JH and DH segments with no variation from the respective germline sequence. The DH-JH junction is the first immunoglobulin gene segment rearranged in precursor B cells. Because the possibility of secondary Ig gene rearrangement in peripheral lymphoid organs has recently been reported, in the patient described here Reed-Sternberg and LBCL cells might originate from a common precursor in which secondary VH replacement took place during the germinal center reaction, giving rise to two different clonally related lymphomas.     

Comparison of in situ hybridisation and polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of B cell lymphoma.

AIM: To compare the sensitivity of the detection of immunoglobulin light chain messenger RNA (mRNA) restriction by in situ hybridisation (ISH) and clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of B cell lymphoma. METHODS: Analyses were applied to formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded, routine diagnostic specimens from cases with a provisional diagnosis of reactive lymph node (n = 23), B cell lymphoma (n = 21), and T cell lymphoma (n = 4). Nonisotopic ISH for kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chain mRNA was performed using both fluorescein and digoxigenin labelled oligodeoxynucleotide probe cocktails. PCR was carried out on DNA extracted from sections using primers to framework 3 (Fr3) of the V segments and to conserved sequences from the J regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain genes. RESULTS: All reactive lymph nodes showed a polyclonal pattern of light chain mRNA by ISH, although one showed an excess of kappa positive cells. Nineteen of 21 (90%) cases of B cell lymphoma showed light chain restriction, and a further case showed a vast excess of kappa positive cells. By PCR, 20 of 23 reactive nodes (87%) showed a polyclonal pattern. In 13 of 21 B cell lymphomas (62%) a clonal band was detected. CONCLUSION: In the diagnosis of B cell lymphoma in routinely processed diagnostic material ISH for light chain mRNA was more sensitive (90%) than PCR for heavy chain gene rearrangement using Fr3 and J region primers (62%).     

Hodgkin病单个H/R-S细胞Ig基因重排的研究

目的 探讨Ｈｏｄｇｋｉｎ病（ＨＤ）Ｈｏｄｇｋｉｎ／Ｒｅｅｄ－Ｓｔｅｒｎｂｅｒｇ（Ｈ／Ｒ－Ｓ）。方法 从８例ＨＤ溶冻切片上共提取Ｈ／Ｒ－Ｓ细胞６８个,用ＩｇＨ通用引物ＦＲⅢａ／ＪＨ和κ、λ轻链家族性特性性引物行ＰＣＲ检测。结果 １例淋巴细胞为主型（ＬＰ）ＨＤ的Ｈ／Ｒ－Ｓ细胞重复出现ＩｇＨ和Ｖκ家族重排;２例结节硬化型ＨＤ（ＮＳＨＤ）中,１例Ｈ／Ｒ－Ｓ细胞有单次的ＩｇＨ、Ｖκ４和Ｖλ３重排;１列有重复     

Follicular origin of a subset of CD5+ diffuse large B-cell lymphomas

Most follicular lymphomas (FLs) have a phenotype consistent with the origin from CD5-, CD10+, bcl-6+ follicular center cells and can progress to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). CD5 is expressed in about 10% of DLBCLs, showing prognostic value, whereas expression is rare in FL. We present 6 cases with coexisting features of CD5+ FL and CD5+ DLBCL, supporting a follicular origin for some CD5+ DLBCLs. The follicular areas showed a meshwork of CD21+ follicular dendritic cells that were lacking in the DLBCL areas. All cases showed a clonal CD19+, CD20+, CD5+, and CD10+ population in both follicular and diffuse areas. Molecularly, 4 of 6 cases demonstrated immunoglobulin heavy chain rearrangements and 1 case, a bcl-2/immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. Somatic hypermutations were high in all 4 cases, in keeping with their germinal center origin. Four of five patients died of disease within 42 months, consistent with the proposed prognostic value of CD5 expression in DLBCL. Our data describe an aggressive variant of CD5+ FL suggesting the follicular origin of some CD5+ DLBCLs.     

宫颈淋巴瘤样病变与宫颈淋巴瘤的鉴别

目的探讨宫颈淋巴瘤样病变和宫颈淋巴瘤的临床病理特点及免疫球蛋白重链（IgH）基因重排在两者鉴别诊断上的价值。方法对10例宫颈淋巴瘤样病变和16例宫颈淋巴瘤进行临床资料分析和组织病理学观察,以免疫组织化学（EnVision法）检测B、T淋巴细胞标记物和免疫球蛋白轻链（κ,λ）的表达,并应用半套式聚合酶链反应方法检测了4例淋巴瘤样病变和4例淋巴瘤中IgH基因重排的情况。结果宫颈淋巴瘤样病变患者年龄24—54岁（中位年龄43岁）,临床多表现为宫颈糜烂或息肉,镜下观察可见表浅分布的、局灶或弥漫性免疫母细胞样大细胞浸润,伴淋巴细胞转化成熟现象和多型性炎性细胞浸润（多量成熟浆细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞、中性粒细胞）。宫颈淋巴瘤患者年龄28—78岁（中位年龄58岁）,临床表现为宫颈肿块或弥漫性宫颈肥大,镜下观察示12例弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤和4例滤泡性淋巴瘤,二者组织学形态分别以弥漫分布、形态单一的肿瘤性大淋巴细胞浸润和肿瘤性滤泡形成为特点,病灶中少有多型性炎性细胞浸润,也不出现淋巴细胞转化成熟现象。宫颈淋巴瘤样病变中,免疫母细胞样大细胞κ和λ染色结果欠满意。4例宫颈淋巴瘤病例和2例宫颈淋巴瘤样病变中检出单克隆性IgH基因重排。结论宫颈淋巴瘤样病变和淋巴瘤主要依据不同的临床和病理形态特点相互区分。IgH基因重排检测对于二者鉴别有帮助,但需注意部分良性病变也有单克隆性淋巴细胞增生。     

High frequency of germinal centre derivation in diffuse large B cell lymphoma from Asian patients

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have divided diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) into germinal centre B cell-like and activated B cell-like subgroups with implicated differences in prognosis.AIMS: To delineate the germinal centre B cell derivation group from an Asian series of DLBCLs. METHODS: Fifty four cases were analysed by polymerase chain reaction to detect the t(14;18) translocation and immunohistochemistry for BCL2, CD10, BCL6, and E2F1 expression. RESULTS: Eighteen of 54 cases had bcl2 gene rearrangement, 36 of 52 expressed BCL2, 29 of 52 expressed BCL6, 20 of 53 expressed CD10, and 18 of 53 expressed E2F1. There was a significant association between bcl2 gene rearrangement and the expression of both BCL2 and CD10. Using the minimally acceptable criteria of t(14;18) rearrangement and/or CD10 expression, 26 of 54 cases were probably germinal centre derived, in agreement with other reports. A higher proportion of cases had t(14;18) translocation, suggesting that they may be derived from transformed follicular lymphomas. E2F1 positivity did not correlate with the known germinal centre markers, even though it has recently been suggested that it may be a new GC marker. CONCLUSIONS: It may be possible to stratify patients for treatment using markers for specific lineages of B cell differentiation.     

聚合酶链反应检测多发性骨髓瘤骨髓细胞IgH基因重排

从常规保存的骨髓涂片抽提ＤＮＡ为模板，应用聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）技术检测多发性骨髓瘤（ＭＭ）与反应性浆细胞增多症（ＲＰ）ＩｇＨ基因重排方式。结果３６例ＭＭ中有２９例呈单克隆ＩｇＨ基因重排，８例ＲＰ均呈多克隆重排。表明该方法有助于鉴别ＭＭ与ＲＰ，结合临床其他资料，可作为临床上ＭＭ早期诊断及不典型ＭＭ诊断的手段，具有临床应用价值。     

Nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma with prominent follicular colonization - difficulties in diagnosis: a study of 15 cases

Aims:  While colonization of reactive follicles is well described in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, this is not fully appreciated in nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (NMZL). The aim was to address how to recognise this feature/entity and to discuss diagnostic difficulties faced by histopathologists in dealing with such lesions and their biological implications.
Methods and results:  Fifteen NMZLs with prominent follicular colonization are described, 14 of which were referrals from other hospitals. All cases had a follicular pattern and showed prominent 'follicular colonization'. In many follicles the colonization was partial, and follicles also had a reactive germinal centre component. The phenomenon of follicular colonization was highlighted by immunohistochemistry. The benign follicle centre cells expressed CD20, CD10 and Bcl-6 and were negative for Bcl-2 and MUM1. In contrast, the colonizing marginal zone lymphoma cells expressed CD20, Bcl-2 and often MUM1 and were negative for Bcl-6 and CD10. Partially colonized follicles showed a 'moth-eaten' appearance on CD10, Bcl-2, Bcl-6 and MUM1 immunohistochemistry. In none except one was the referring diagnosis NMZL.
Conclusion:  Recognizing and appreciating follicular colonization in a subset of NMZLs, appropriate use of immunohistochemistry and knowledge of immunohistological features can aid in making the correct diagnosis.