The origins of the neoplastic cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma1, the Hodgkin (H) and Sternberg–Reed(SR) cells, are still obscure, and these cells appear to carry no markers found on any population of normal cells2,3. However the recent establishment of permanent Hodgkin cell lines3,4 has led to the search for tumour-specific antigens and/or for membrane markers on H and SR cells which may indicate the normal equivalent cells. Here, we describe the production of mouse monoclonal antibodies against the Hodgkin cell line L428. One hybridoma antibody, Ki-1, was found to be specific for H and SR cells of all Hodgkin's lymphomas tested and a minute, but distinct new cell population in normal tonsils and lymph nodes.

Production of a monoclonal antibody specific for Hodgkin and Sternberg–Reed cells of Hodgkin's disease and a subset of normal lymphoid cells

In this study the antigenic profile of Hodgkin (H) and Sternberg-Reed (SR) cells from cases of Hodgkin's disease was analysed using a large panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies reactive with cells of lymphoid and haemotopoietic origin. The aim of this investigation was, firstly, to throw light on the origin of H and SR cells and, secondly, to determine whether there is any evidence to support recent suggestions that H and SR cells differ antigenically between different histological categories of Hodgkin's disease. Frozen sections (from 24 cases) and paraffin sections (83 cases) were stained by immunoenzymatic methods and the results compared with those obtained from staining a wide variety of reactive and neoplastic tissue samples (including examples of tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, malignant histiocytosis, histiocytosis X, osteomyelosclerosis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). The results revealed that H and SR cells of all types of Hodgkin's disease consistently lack markers found on null cells, B cells, T cells, cells of monocyte/macrophage series, interdigitating reticulum cells, dendritic reticulum cells and erythropoietic and thrombopoietic cells. However, H and SR cells constantly expressed an antigen detectable with the recently produced monoclonal antibody Ki-I. The vast majority of typical and lacunar type H and SR cells contained the granulocyte-related antigens detected by monoclonal antibodies TU5, TU6, TU9 and 3C4, whereas other more or less specific granulopoietic cell markers (such as peroxidase, chloroacetate esterade, lysozyme, cationic leukocyte antigen and OKMI) were consistently absent. H and SR cells in cases of nodular paragranuloma (nodular type of Hodgkin's disease with lymphocyte predominance) were not monotypic in light chain type (as has been previously reported), but rather contained chi and lambda chains within the same cells, as do typical and lacunar type H and SR cells. Immunostaining of normal and hyperplastic lymphoid tissue with the Ki-I antibody led to the detection of a new, as yet unidentified, small-cell population of unknown origin and function, which is present between, around, and within cortical follicles. It is concluded from these findings that H and SR cells constitute a unique cell type that differs in many properties from all other known cell types. Furthermore, H and SR cells of the various histological types of Hodgkin's disease are more closely related than previously believed. It is suggested that the hitherto unknown cell population detected with the monoclonal antibody Ki-I in normal lymphoid tissue is the normal equivalent of H and SR cells.

Identification of Hodgkin and Sternberg-reed cells as a unique cell type derived from a newly-detected small-cell population

The normal and malignant germinal centre.

European Task Force on Lymphoma project on lymphocyte predominance Hodgkin disease: histologic and immunohistologic analysis of submitted cases reveals 2 types of Hodgkin disease with a nodular growth pattern and abundant lymphocytes

Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) has traditionally been recognized as having two morphologic patterns, nodular and diffuse, and the current WHO definition of NLPHL requires at least a partial nodular pattern. Variant patterns have not been well documented. We analyzed retrospectively the morphologic and immunophenotypic patterns of NLPHL from 118 patients (total of 137 biopsy samples). Histology plus antibodies directed against CD20, CD3, and CD21 were used to evaluate the immunoarchitecture. We identified six distinct immunoarchitectural patterns in our cases of NLPHL: "classic" (B-cell-rich) nodular, serpiginous/interconnected nodular, nodular with prominent extranodular L&H cells, T-cell-rich nodular, diffuse with a T-cell-rich background (T-cell-rich B-cell lymphoma [TCRBCL]-like), and a (diffuse) B-cell-rich pattern. Small germinal centers within neoplastic nodules were found in approximately 15% of cases, a finding not previously emphasized in NLPHL. Prominent sclerosis was identified in approximately 20% of cases and was frequently seen in recurrent disease. Clinical follow-up was obtained on 56 patients, including 26 patients who had not had recurrence of disease and 30 patients who had recurrence. The follow-up period was 5 months to 16 years (median 2.5 years). The presence of a diffuse (TCRBCL-like) pattern was significantly more common in patients with recurrent disease than those without recurrence. Furthermore, the presence of a diffuse pattern (TCRBCL-like) was shown to be an independent predictor of recurrent disease (P = 0.00324). In addition, there is a tendency for progression to an increasingly more diffuse pattern over time. Analysis of sequential biopsies from patients with recurrent disease suggests that the presence of prominent extranodular L&H cells might represent early evolution to a diffuse (TCRBCL-like) pattern. We also report three patients who presented initially with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and later developed NLPHL.

Characterization of variant patterns of nodular lymphocyte predominant hodgkin lymphoma with immunohistologic and clinical correlation.

Ultrastructural and immunohistologic findings in a nodular variant of Hodgkin’s disease with lymphocytic predominance, called nodular paragranuloma, are presented and compared with those in so-called progressively transformed germinal centers. These are large follicles with numerous lymphocytes which can be found not only in nonspecific lymphadenitis, but also in lymph nodes from patients with nodular paragranuloma. The immunoperoxidase technique was applied on paraffin sections to detect intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin and lysozyme. The so-called L & H type Sternberg-Reed cells contained IgG and one type of light chain per cell, suggesting that such cells produce immunoglobulin. The ultrastructure of the L & H type Sternberg-Reed cells favored the immunoblastic nature of these cells. It is concluded that nodular paragranuloma differs from other types of Hodgkin’s disease by its localization in B-cell areas and the presence of atypical B immunoblasts.

K Lennert

Papers

Nodular paragranuloma and progressively transformed germinal centers. Ultrastructural and immunohistologic findings.