Flow cytometric expression of CD71, CD81, CD44 and CD39 in B cell lymphoma
Andrea Espasa1, Gustavo Tapia1,2, Sara Vergara1
1Hematology Laboratory,ICO-Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, LUMN, IJC-Functional Cytomics unit, UAB, Badalona, Spain.
Insights
This study evaluated CD71, CD81, CD44, and CD39 expression in B cell lymphomas using flow cytometry. These markers show promise in differentiating between indolent and aggressive lymphoma subtypes, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Flow cytometry is a key diagnostic tool for nodal B cell lymphomas.
- Established antigens used in flow cytometry have limitations for precise diagnosis.
- Novel antigens may improve diagnostic accuracy for B cell lymphomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the expression of CD71, CD81, CD44, and CD39 in various B cell lymphomas.
- To assess the utility of these antigens in differentiating lymphoma subtypes.
- To explore potential improvements in flow cytometry panels for lymphoma diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry analysis of 185 B cell lymphoma samples.
- Utilized World Health Organization classification for sample diagnosis.
- Examined expression patterns of CD71, CD81, CD44, and CD39.
Main Results:
- CD81 was bright/dim and CD44 dim in germinal center-derived/aggressive lymphomas.
- CD81 was very dim in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
- CD71 was bright in aggressive lymphomas (DLBCL/HGBL, BL).
- CD39 was bright in CD10-negative DLBCL.
- CD71, CD39, and CD81 showed potential in differentiating specific lymphoma types.
Conclusions:
- CD71, CD81, CD44, and CD39 expression patterns vary across B cell lymphomas.
- These antigens show potential for differential diagnosis between indolent and aggressive lymphomas.
- Further research is needed to integrate these markers into routine flow cytometry panels.
Abstract:
Flow cytometry is a useful ancillary tool for the diagnosis of nodal B cell lymphomas. Well-established antigens have diagnostic limitations. This study aimed to assess the expression of CD71, CD81, CD44 and CD39 by flow cytometry in B cell lymphomas. Expression of these 4 antigens was queried in 185 samples with a diagnosis of a B cell lymphoma according to a histological examination of the lymph node and the World Health Organization (WHO) classification (follicular lymphoma [FL, n = 96], diffuse large B cell lymphoma/High grade B cell lymphoma [DLBCL/HGBH, n = 48], marginal zone lymphoma/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma [MZL/LPL, n = 14], chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma [CLL, n = 10], mantle cell lymphoma [MCL, n = 11], Burkitt lymphoma [BL, n = 4] and other [n = 2]). CD81 was bright and CD44 was dim in germinal center-derived malignancies, particularly aggressive lymphomas (BL and CD10-positive DLBCL/HGBL). CD81 was very dim in CLL. CD71 was bright in aggressive lymphomas (DLBCL/HGBL and BL). CD39 was bright in CD10-negative DLBCL. CD71 appeared valuable in the differential diagnosis between indolent and aggressive lymphomas, CD39 between CD10-negative DLBCL and MZL/LPL and CD81 between MCL and CLL. To conclude, we report the expression of CD71, CD81, CD44 and CD39 by FC in B cell lymphomas. Further studies will have to determine the value they add to specific FC panels.
