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Published on: October 19, 2014
HSP70 is selectively over-expressed in the blast cells of the germinal centres and paracortex in reactive lymph nodes
O Leopardi1, W Naughten, I Giannulis
1Department of Pathology, Ospedale Maggiore, Piazza Ospitale 10, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
Insights
Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is over-expressed in reactive lymph nodes, primarily by B-blasts within germinal centers. This HSP70 expression was significantly higher in germinal centers than in paracortical areas.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression patterns in reactive lymph nodes are not well-defined.
- The localization and correlation of HSP70 with lymphocyte kinetics require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate HSP70 expression in reactive lymph nodes using immunohistochemistry.
- To describe the morphological expression and location of HSP70.
- To correlate HSP70 expression with lymphocyte kinetics.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was performed on 96 cases of non-specific lymphadenitis.
- Staining for HSP70, CD20, CD3, Ki67, Bcl-2, and CD21 was conducted.
- HSP70-positive cells were quantified in germinal centers and paracortical areas.
Main Results:
- HSP70 was significantly over-expressed in germinal center cells (17%) compared to paracortical cells (7.6%).
- HSP70-positive cells were identified as B-cells with blast morphology (centroblasts and immunoblasts).
- Mantle, marginal zone lymphocytes, and T-cells were negative for HSP70.
Conclusions:
- HSP70 is selectively over-expressed by B-blasts, predominantly in germinal centers.
- The biological significance of HSP70 over-expression in centroblasts and immunoblasts warrants further study.
- No correlation was observed between HSP70 expression and Bcl-2 or Ki67.
Aims:
We evaluated by immunohistochemistry HSP70 expression in reactive lymph nodes since its morphological expression and location have not been previously described and correlated with lymphocyte kinetics.
Methods And Results:
Ninety-six cases of non-specific lymphadenitis were immunostained for HSP70, CD20, CD3, Ki67, Bcl-2, CD21. The type and the location of HSP70-positive cells were determined. Their number out of 2000 cells in each germinal centre and in each paracortical area was counted at 60x magnification with the help of a quantitative grid. Seventeen percent of germinal centre cells and 7.6% of the paracortex cells were positive. This difference was highly significant. The positively reacting cells were B-cells and had a blast (centroblast or immunoblast) morphology, with negative mantle and marginal lymphocytes and T-cells. Lymphoplasmacytoid cells and plasma cells reacted only weakly or were negative. Germinal centre antigen-presenting cells and interdigitating dendritic cells reacted from lightly to moderately.
Conclusions:
HSP70 was selectively over-expressed by B-blasts mainly located within germinal centres with a lower number in the paracortex. The difference in the mean number between the two sites was statistically highly significant. No correlation was found with bcl-2 and Ki67 expression. Mantle, marginal and T-lymphocytes were always negative. The biological meaning and role of this over-expression in centroblasts and immunoblasts remain to be elucidated.
