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[Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of splenic infiltrates in hairy cell leukemia]
B F Odermatt1, H Knecht, F Bachmann
1Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsspital, Zürich/Schweiz.
Insights
Hairy cell leukemia cells express surface immunoglobulins, confirming their B cell origin. Gene rearrangements in immunoglobulin heavy and light chains further support this finding in leukemia patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Oncology
Context:
- Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare B-cell malignancy.
- Understanding the cellular origin of HCL is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Splenic infiltrates are characteristic of HCL.
Purpose:
- To confirm the B-cell origin of hairy cells in HCL patients.
- To analyze immunoglobulin expression and gene rearrangements in HCL cells.
- To differentiate HCL from other lymphoid malignancies.
Summary:
- Immunohistochemistry revealed monoclonal surface immunoglobulin expression on HCL cells.
- Southern blot analysis demonstrated immunoglobulin heavy and light chain gene rearrangements.
- These findings provide definitive evidence for the B-cell lineage of hairy cells.
Impact:
- Confirms the B-cell nature of hairy cells, aiding in HCL diagnosis.
- Provides molecular evidence supporting HCL classification.
- Contributes to the understanding of B-cell development and transformation in leukemia.
Abstract:
Cells of splenic infiltrates of five patients with hairy cell leukemia have been analyzed for the expression of immunoglobulin by immunohistochemistry and for rearrangement of T cell receptor and immunoglobulin genes by the Southern blot technique. In each case surface immunoglobulins were found with monoclonal expression of light chains. Concomitantly, heavy and light chain gene rearrangements were present. These results confirm the B cell nature of hairy cells.