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Immunohistochemical demonstration of CD23 expression on lymphocytes in rheumatoid synovitis
E A Hellen1, D C Rowlands, T T Hansel
1Department of Histopathology, East Birmingham Hospital.
Insights
Leukocyte antigen CD23 is present on lymphocytes in chronic inflammation, not exclusive to rheumatoid arthritis. This finding suggests CD23 may indicate the severity of inflammation in various arthritic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Leukocyte antigen CD23 (a B lymphocyte surface receptor and IgE receptor) is expressed upon activation.
- Soluble CD23 (sCD23) may function as a B cell growth factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of CD23 on lymphocytes in synovial biopsy specimens from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and chronic inflammation.
- To determine if CD23 expression is specific to rheumatoid arthritis or a general marker of chronic inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Paraffin-embedded synovial biopsy specimens were analyzed.
- A novel mouse monoclonal antibody, BU38, was used to detect CD23 expression on lymphocytes.
- Specimens from rheumatoid arthritis (9), osteoarthritis (6), and chronic inflammation (8) were studied.
Main Results:
- CD23 was expressed on a high proportion of lymphocytes in all studied forms of chronic inflammation.
- CD23 expression was not specific to rheumatoid arthritis.
- The presence of CD23 was observed in lymphocytes across various arthritic conditions.
Conclusions:
- CD23 expression on lymphocytes is a characteristic feature of chronic inflammatory responses, not limited to rheumatoid arthritis.
- Soluble CD23 (sCD23) in serum or synovial fluid may serve as a marker for the inflammatory infiltrate's severity in arthritic conditions.
Abstract:
The leucocyte antigen CD23 is expressed by B lymphocytes following activation by a number of stimuli and functions as an IgE receptor, and in its soluble form, as a putative B cell growth factor. The expression of CD23 on the surface of lymphocytes in paraffin wax sections of synovial biopsy specimens was studied using a novel mouse monoclonal antibody, BU38. Specimens were investigated from nine cases of rheumatoid arthritis, six cases of osteoarthritis, and eight cases of chronic inflammation in articular and non-articular tissues. CD23 was expressed on a high proportion of lymphocytes in all forms of chronic inflammation and was not specific for rheumatoid arthritis. It may be a characteristic feature of any chronic inflammatory response. As CD23 was found on the surface of lymphocytes in many cases of these arthritides, sCD23 in serum or synovial fluid may yet prove a useful marker for the severity of the inflammatory infiltrate.
