Immunophenotypic profile and role of adhesion molecules in splenic marginal zone lymphoma with bone marrow involvement

Leuk Lymphoma. 2006 Jan;47(1):49-57. doi: 10.1080/10428190500272556.

Abstract

Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma (SMZL), with or without villous lymphocytes (VL+/-), is a low-grade lymphoproliferative disorder with constant involvement of the bone marrow (BM). Different BM infiltration patterns, mainly intra-sinusoidal, interstitial and nodular, have been described. Adhesion molecules (AMs) constitute a heterogeneous group of antigenic receptors playing a major role in leukocyte recruitment, in lymphocyte homing and in cellular-mediated immune response. Evolution and pattern of the BM infiltrate could be influenced by a variable expression of AM on SMZL lymphocytes. The degree and pattern of BM infiltration and the immunohistochemical expression of AM (H-CAM, BL-CAM, L-selectin, PSGL-1, E-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and Beta-1 integrin) among the different infiltration patterns were evaluated in BM biopsies of 38 patients with SMZL and graded according to a semi-quantitative score ranging from 0-4 and based on the percentage of positive cells. An intra-sinusoidal infiltration was constantly observed, alone or in conjunction with other patterns. H-CAM and BL-CAM showed a moderate-to-high degree of positivity in the intra-sinusoidal infiltrate (median expression grade-3) and were expressed in the neoplastic lymphocytes independently from the pattern. PSGL-1 was mostly expressed in the perisinusoidal region and in case of interstitial infiltration (grade-2). ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were selectively expressed in the nodules as a reticular meshwork located in the core region (grade-2); VCAM-1 was also expressed in the perinodular endothelia. E-selectin, L-selectin and beta-1 integrin proved constantly negative. These data suggest that different expression of AM can influence the modality of BM infiltration in SMZL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Bone Marrow / immunology
  • Bone Marrow / pathology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping*
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Lymphoma / immunology*
  • Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Splenic Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Splenic Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules