Germinal-center T-helper-cell markers PD-1 and CXCL13 are both expressed by neoplastic cells in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

Am J Clin Pathol. 2009 Jan;131(1):33-41. doi: 10.1309/AJCP62WRKERPXDRT.

Abstract

Gene expression profiling identified genes uniquely expressed by human germinal-center T-helper (GCTh) cells, including programmed death-1 (PD-1) and CXCL13. Recently, we demonstrated that PD-1 is an immunophenotypic marker of GCTh cells and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). The goal of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of CXCL13 in comparison with PD-1. We studied 63 cases of T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, including 22 cases of AITL. In cases of AITL, PD-1+ and CXCL13+ neoplastic cells were seen at foci of expanded CD21+ follicular dendritic cell networks. CXCL13 expression was limited in other peripheral T-cell lymphomas. PD-1 and CXCL13 identified germinal-center T-helper cells, showed a similar pattern of expression in AITL, and should serve as useful new markers for AITL. The similar pattern of expression of CXCL13 and PD-1 in AITL provides further evidence that AITL is a neoplasm derived from germinal-center T-helper cells.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Chemokine CXCL13 / biosynthesis*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy / metabolism*
  • Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy / pathology*
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell / metabolism*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, Complement 3d / analysis
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • CXCL13 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL13
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, Complement 3d