Immunoperoxidase study in alpha-chain disease

Peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique was applied to search for the presence of alpha-chain protein in cells of the infiltrate from six cases of alpha-chain disease (one immunoblastic sarcoma and five plasmacytosis cases). Cases of poorly differentiated lymphocytic and Burkitt's type lymphomas, IgA myeloma, and tuberculous enteritis served as controls. Infiltrate cells from alpha-chain disease showed heavy and diffuse staining with anti-alpha-chain and not light-chain antisera. The myeloma reacted with both anti-alpha and anti-kappa antisera. Plasma cells from tuberculous enteritis showed variable staining with anti-heavy- and anti-light-chain antisera, while control lymphomas did not stain at all. We suggest that immunoenzyme histochemistry is a useful tool in demonstrating intracellular alpha-chain protein.