BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is an immune complex-mediated disease predominantly characterized by the deposition of circulating immune complexes containing immunoglobulin A (IgA) on the walls of small vessels. Although the pathogenesis of HSP is not yet fully understood, some researchers proposed that B-cell activation might play a critical role in the development of this disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum levels of visfatin (pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor), B-cell-activating factor (BAFF), and CXCL13, and to analyze their association with disease severity. METHODS: The serum levels of visfatin, BAFF, and CXCL13 were measured by using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 43 patients with HSP and 45 controls. The serum levels of IgA anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were detected by using a double-antigen sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: Levels of visfatin but not BAFF and CXCL13 were significantly elevated in the sera of patients with HSP in the acute stage, and restored to normal levels in the convalescent stage. Furthermore, serum levels of visfatin were significantly higher in patients with HSP having renal involvement than in those without renal involvement. Serum levels of visfatin were correlated with the severity of HSP and serum concentration of ACA-IgA. CONCLUSION: We show for the first time that the serum levels of visfatin are abnormally elevated in patients with HSP. Visfatin may be associated with the pathogenesis of HSP.
Antibodies, Anticardiolipin ; Antigen-Antibody Complex ; B-Cell Activating Factor ; B-Lymphocytes ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase* ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and pathologic features of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma(AITL) and provide evidence for diagnosis. METHODS: Eighteen AITL patients (9 males and 9 females aged from 14 to 70 years) were retrospectively analyzed in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from July 2002 to September 2007. RESULTS: Characteristic features at the presentation of AITL included generalized lymphadenopathy, fever, splenomegaly, and skin rashes with polyclonal hyper-gammaglobulinemia and other hematological abnormalities (such as Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia), which often involved the bone marrow and had well-described histologic features. The positive rate for CXCL13 was 93.3%. CONCLUSION Repeated lymphadenbiopsy is helpful for AITL diagnosis. Routine histological and immunohistochemical examinations (especially including CXCL13) play significant role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of AITL.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

B-1 cells, which constitute a predominant lymphocyte subset in serosal cavities and produce most of natural antibodies, are subdivided into the CD5+ B-1a and CD5- B-1b cell subpopulations, but the differential roles of B-1a and B-1b cells are not well understood. We report that B-1a cells preferentially migrate out of the peritoneal cavity and upregulate the expression of CXCR4 with heightened sensitivity to CXCL12 and CXCL13 upon LPS treatment compared to B-1b and B-2 cells. Whereas B-1a cells were slightly more abundant than B-1b and B-2 cells in the homeostatic condition, the number of B-1a cells preferentially decreased 48 hr after LPS treatment. The decrease in the peritoneal B-1a cell number was accompanied with increased migration of B-1a cells toward CXCL-12 and CXCL-13 in in vitro transmigration assay using peritoneal B cells from LPS treated mice. The expression level of CXCR4, but not of CXCR5, was also more prominently increased in B-1a cells upon LPS stimulation. LPS-stimulated B-1a cells did not accumulate in omental milky spots in contrast to B-2 cells. These results suggest that B-1a cells actively migrate out of the peritoneal cavity through the regulation of the migratory responsiveness to chemokines and actively participate in systemic immune responses.
Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology ; Animals ; B-Lymphocytes/cytology/*drug effects/immunology ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism/*pharmacology ; Chemokine CXCL13/metabolism/pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides/*pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Peritoneal Cavity/cytology ; Receptors, CXCR4/*metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo study the morphologic and immunophenotypic features of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), as well as the origin of the proliferative follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in AITL.

METHODSImmunohistochemical study for CD10, CXCL13, bcl-6 and CD21 was performed on 29 cases of AITL. Double immunostaining for bcl-6/CD3, CD10/CD21 and CD10/CD20 were also carried out. Cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal-type, enteropathy-type T-cell lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma and reactive lymphoid proliferation were selected as controls.

RESULTSAmongst the 29 cases of AITL studied, 75.9% (22/29) showed aberrant expression of CD10, while all except one of the controlled cases were negative, 82.8% (24/29) of the AITL cases expressed CXCL13, while all cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified were negative. As for bcl-6 staining, although the highest percentage of bcl-6-positive cells was observed in AITL, the expression pattern was not useful in differentiating AITL from peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified and lymphoid reaction. Besides, all cases of AITL demonstrated the characteristic proliferation of follicular dendritic cells. Two of the cases, which contained obvious germinal centers, had the follicular dendritic cell meshwork extending beyond the lymphoid follicles.

CONCLUSIONSAs compared with bcl-6, CD10 and CXCL13 are specific and sensitive markers in diagnosing AITL. Part of the proliferative FDCs in AITL may originate from the germinal centers.

Adult ; Aged ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cells, Follicular ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunophenotyping ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Complement 3d ; metabolism

A DNA fragment encoding mouse B Lymphocyte Chemoattractant (BLC, MV10Kda) was obtained by PCR. The amplified fragment was inserted into prokaryotic expression vector PQE30. Recombinant protein was expressed in E. Coli XL-1 blue and purified by affinity chromatography on a nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid gel matrix. Then it was identified by sequence analysis and Western blot analysis. The fragment inserted into prokaryotic expression vector PQE30 was identified to be BLC gene fragment by sequence analysis. And a specfic band was shown by Western blot analysis. These findings provide the evidence that the recombinant protein obtained and purified in this study using gene engineering method is mouse B Lymphocyte Chemoattractant.
Animals ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; Chemokines, CXC ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Prokaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo study the value of immunomarkers CXCL13, CD10, bcl-6 in pathologic diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL).

METHODSOne hundred and fifteen cases of AITL, 30 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS) and 30 cases of reactive lymph nodes with paracortical hyperplasia (RH) encountered during the period from January, 1990 to January, 2008 were retrieved from the archival files of the Department of Pathology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China. The morphologic features were reviewed and compared. Immunohistochemical study was performed by SP method for CXCL13, CD10, bcl-6, CD21, CD3epsilon, CD3, CD45RO, CD20 and Ki-67. TCR-gamma gene rearrangement study was also carried out.

RESULTSRegressed follicles were evident in 7.8% (9/115) of AITL cases, 6.7% (2/30) of PTCL, NOS cases and 83.3% (25/30) of RH cases, respectively. A marked increase of number of arborizing venules was shown in 98.3% (113/115) of AITL cases, 63.3% (19/30) of PTCL, NOS cases and 76.7% (23/30) of RH cases, respectively. In lymph nodes with paracortical hyperplasia, the expression of CXCL13, CD10 and bcl-6 were restricted to the germinal centers. In AITL, 96.5% (111/115) of cases showed CXCL13 expression, in contrast to 26.7% (8/30) of PTCL, NOS. Expression of CD10 and bcl-6 were found in the neoplastic cells in 50.4% (58/115) and 78.3% (90/115) of AITL, and 3.3% (1/30) and 3.3% (1/30) of PTCL, NOS, respectively. Irregular meshworks of CD21-positive follicular dendritic cells were found in all the AITL cases. Clonal TCR-gamma rearrangement was detected in 83% (83/100) of the AITL cases.

CONCLUSIONSAITL is a type of lymphoma originated from the follicular helper T cells. Detailed morphologic assessment and use of immunohistochemical markers are essential for accurate diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor ; Humans ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; metabolism ; Pseudolymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnostic methods for follicular dendritic cell sarcoma.

METHODSHistological and immunohistochemical examinations and EBER in situ hybridization were used to investigate the pathological features of 5 cases of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma, and related literature was reviewed.

RESULTSThere were 3 males and 2 females with a median age of 54 years (range, 28 - 75 years). The location of lesions included lymph node (2 cases), tonsil (1 case), stomach (1 case), and liver (1 case). The growth patterns were fascicular or whorls and/or diffuse. The neoplastic cells were spindle or ovoid in shape with indistinct border and slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm. The nuclei were round, oval or spindle in shape with small distinct nucleoli. Warthin-Finkeldey-like multinucleated giant cells were detected in two cases. Mitotic figures were found in 1-22/10 HPF. Immunohistochemical staining showed that CD21 and CD23 (3 of 5), CD35 (4 of 5), D2-40 (4 of 4), and CXCL13 (3 of 4) were positive in neoplastic cells. EBER was detected in one of five cases by in situ hybridization. Four cases were followed-up for 6 approximately 25 months and no recurrence or death was observed yet.

CONCLUSIONFollicular dendritic cell sarcoma is an extremely rare and should be considered as a moderately malignant tumor, and may present histological polymorphism with certain distinctive features. Immunohistochemistry is necessary in differential diagnosis to distinguish from other tumors.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; metabolism ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymph Nodes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; metabolism ; Receptors, Complement 3d ; metabolism ; Receptors, IgE ; metabolism ; Ribosomal Proteins ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Tonsillar Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinicopathologic and genetic features of follicular variant of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (FV-PTCL), with particular attention to the relationship of this type of lymphoma with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL).

METHODSThe clinical data, hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of lymph node biopsies from 2 FV-PTCL cases were reviewed. Immunohistochemical phenotyping and detection of EBV-encoded RNAs (EBER) through in situ hybridization (ISH) were performed. The EnVision two-step method was used for all antibodies except CXCL13 (by using three-step streptavidin immunoperoxidase method). Analysis of clonality and ITK/SYK gene rearrangement was conducted using PCR and RT-PCR assays, respectively.

RESULTSClinically, the two patients presented with superficial lymphadenopathy similarly. Histologically, case 1 showed a follicular/nodular lymphoid proliferation without marked germinal centers. The neoplastic cells comprised mainly medium sized cells with abundant, sometimes clear cytoplasms. Similar histologic findings were seen in case 2 in addition to a concurrent component mimicking typical AITL noticed. Of both cases, the neoplastic cells showed positive reactivity to CD3, CD4, CD10, PD1, and CXCL13. Positive hybridization signals for EBER were only seen in case 2, and double stains demonstrated that those EBV-positive cells were mostly the reactive transformed B-cells. Monoclonal T-cell proliferation was proved by the rearranged TCR gene detection in both cases. Neither of the current cases expressed ITK/SYK fusion transcripts.

CONCLUSIONFV-PTCL shows the similar or overlapped morphological and immunophenotypic features to those of AITL, possibly suggesting the presence of a potential relationship between these two types of lymphomas.

Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; metabolism ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Endostatins ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte ; Humans ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; Remission Induction ; Syk Kinase ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use