A subset of Rosai-Dorfman disease exhibits features of IgG4-related disease

Am J Clin Pathol. 2013 May;139(5):622-32. doi: 10.1309/AJCPARC3YQ0KLIOA.

Abstract

In this study we investigated the distribution of IgG4+ plasma cells and regulatory T (T(REG)) cells, a major regulator of IgG4 production, in nodal and extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD). Twenty-six specimens (15 nodal, 11 extranodal) were examined, with reactive lymph nodes and site-matched extranodal specimens as controls. Overall, 84.6% (22/26) of the specimens showed various degrees of sclerosis (7 mild, 8 moderate, and 7 severe). Nineteen cases (73.1%) exhibited more than 10 IgG4+ cells/0.060 mm(2) (photographed area at ×40), and 8 cases (30.8%) showed more than 40% of IgG+ cells being IgG4+. Only 1 control case exhibited more than 10 IgG4+ cells/0.060 mm(2) (P < .05). The number of T(REG) cells was comparable between nodal RDD and controls, whereas extranodal RDD exhibited significantly higher numbers of T(REG) cells than controls. These findings demonstrate that a subset of RDD shows features of IgG4-related disease and indicate an overlap between certain aspects of the 2 diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Histiocytosis, Sinus / immunology
  • Histiocytosis, Sinus / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / blood
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / immunology
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / pathology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Infant
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphatic Diseases / immunology
  • Lymphatic Diseases / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasma Cells / immunology
  • Plasma Cells / pathology*
  • Sclerosis
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G