Purpose: The homeostatic chemokine, B cell attracting chemokine 1 (CXCL13), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lymphocyte-mediated diseases. We investigated the cellular expression of this chemokine in the spectrum of ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative lesions.
Design: Laboratory investigation.
Methods: CXCL13 expression in paraffin-embedded adnexal biopsy specimens was determined by indirect immunohistochemistry with antigen retrieval.
Results: In 15 of 16 biopsy specimens, including reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (n = 7), atypical lymphoid hyperplasia (n = 3), and B cell lymphoma (n = 6), CXCL13 was detected. CD20-positive B-cells, as well as dendritic cells and endothelial cells, expressed the chemokine.
Conclusions: B-cells in ocular adnexal lymphoproliferative lesions demonstrate expression of CXCL13, a chemokine that may participate in tumor pathogenesis and is a potential target for novel therapies.