CD31 (JC70) expression in plasma cells: an immunohistochemical analysis of reactive and neoplastic plasma cells
D Govender1, P Harilal, M Dada
1Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Natal Medical School, Durban, South Africa. govendh@med.und.ac.za
Insights
CD31 (JC70) is highly expressed on extramedullary reactive plasma cells and occasionally on plasmacytomas, but not on multiple myeloma cells. This finding aids in distinguishing reactive plasma cells from neoplastic plasma cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunohistochemistry
- Cell Adhesion Molecules
Background:
- CD31 (JC70) is a cell adhesion molecule.
- Understanding CD31 expression in plasma cells is crucial for diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of CD31 (JC70) in normal and neoplastic plasma cells.
Main Methods:
- Examined plasma cells from bone marrow and extramedullary biopsies.
- Utilized anti-CD31 (JC70) staining with streptavidin-biotin detection.
- Employed pressure cooking and microwave pretreatment for antigen retrieval.
Main Results:
- Intense CD31 membrane staining observed in extramedullary reactive plasma cells.
- Focal CD31 staining in bone marrow reactive plasma cells.
- CD31 expression was absent in multiple myeloma cases.
Conclusions:
- CD31 is strongly expressed in extramedullary reactive plasma cells.
- CD31 expression is variable in plasmacytomas and reactive bone marrow plasma cells.
- CD31 is a potential marker to differentiate reactive from neoplastic plasma cells.
Aims:
To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of CD31 (JC70) in normal and neoplastic plasma cells.
Methods:
Plasma cells in bone marrow biopsies and extramedullary locations were examined. All extramedullary biopsies were formalin fixed and paraffin embedded. The bone marrow biopsies were fixed in formal acetic acid and embedded in paraffin wax. Twenty multiple myelomas (12 bone marrow and eight extramedullary deposits), 10 extramedullary plasmacytomas, and 30 biopsies with reactive plasma cells (10 bone marrow, 20 extramedullary biopsies) were stained with anti-CD31 (JC70) using the streptavidin-biotin detection system with diaminobenzidine as a chromogen. Antigen retrieval in bone marrow biopsies was achieved by pressure cooking. In all other biopsies, antigen retrieval was achieved by microwave pretreatment.
Results:
All 20 extramedullary cases with reactive plasma cells showed intense membrane staining. Focal staining was detected in reactive plasma cells in bone marrow biopsies. Five of 10 plasmacytomas showed membrane staining. None of the cases of multiple myeloma, either medullary or extramedullary, showed any immunoreactivity for CD31.
Conclusions:
CD31, a member of the immunoglobulin supergene family of cell adhesion molecules, is strongly expressed in extramedullary reactive plasma cells, focally in bone marrow reactive plasma cells, and occasionally in extramedullary plasmacytomas.
