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[Significance of CD123 in histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis]
Xuejing Wei1, Xiaoge Zhou1, Jianlan Xie1
1Department of Pathology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
Insights
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) expressing CD123 are frequently found in Kikuchi's disease, serving as a potential diagnostic marker. This finding aids in differentiating Kikuchi's disease from other conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunopathology
- Dermatopathology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Kikuchi's disease is a rare, self-limiting lymphohistiocytic disorder.
- Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) play a role in immune regulation.
- CD123 is a specific marker for pDCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and significance of CD123-expressing pDCs in Kikuchi's disease.
- To evaluate CD123 expression patterns in Kikuchi's disease and compare them with other conditions.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for CD123 was performed on tissue samples.
- Samples included 30 cases of Kikuchi's disease and controls (T cell lymphoma, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, chronic tonsillitis).
Main Results:
- CD123-positive pDCs were found in 93.3% of Kikuchi's disease cases.
- Staining was prominent at lesion periphery and around vessels.
- Distinct staining patterns (membranous, cytoplasmic, combined) were observed in Kikuchi's disease.
Conclusions:
- Large clusters of pDCs expressing CD123 are characteristic of Kikuchi's disease.
- CD123 expression in pDCs can serve as an adjunctive diagnostic marker for Kikuchi's disease.
Objective:
To investigate the mode of presentation, cytologic features of the plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), and the expression of CD123 and its significance in Kikuchi's disease.
Methods:
CD123 expression was evaluated by EliVision immunohistochemical staining in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from 30 cases of Kikuchi's disease, 5 cases of T cell lymphoma, 10 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and 10 cases of chronic tonsillitis.
Results:
Clusters of CD123 positive PDC were observed in Kikuchi's disease (28 of 30 cases, 93.3%) and the staining intensity was more prominent in the PDC at the periphery of the lesion and around the high endothelial venule-like vessels. CD123 showed three staining patterns: membranous (10 cases, 33.3%), cytoplasmic (10 cases, 33.3%), and membranous and cytoplasmic (8 cases, 26.7%). In the control group, CD123 showed cytoplasmic staining in reactive hyperplasia and chronic tonsillitis. Regarding the staining intensity, 12 of 28 cases (42.9%) were 3+ for CD123, 8 of 28 cases (28.6%) were 2+, and 8 of 28 cases (28.6%) were 1+. In contrast, PDC clusters with 1+ staining intensity were observed in 1 of 10 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia; 2 of 10 chronic tonsillitis diseases; and much less in T cell lymphoma.
Conclusions:
Large cluster of PDC is detected in both proliferative and necrotizing types of Kikuchi's disease, making this a useful adjunctive diagnostic marker.
