[The place of dendritic cells in the microenviroment in Hodgkin's lymphoma].

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the least studied microenvironment elements in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL). Ninety-five lymph nodes were morphologically and immunohistochemically studied in patients with classical HL. The authors found CDla- and langerin-positive DCs in the presence of T lymphocytes, which were localized in the close proximity to neoplastic Reed-Sternberg cells (RSCs). There were also CD23-positive follicular DCs, which were typically located at the periphery of tumor foci, in the areas of residual follicular structures, were surrounded by B lymphocytes and were rarely associated with RSCs. There were two morphologically distinct groups among the CD 1a- and langerin-positive DCs; one had developed cytoplasmic processes, which formed a network around the RSCs (probably a more mature/functionally active form); the other had round cells with short cytoplasmic processes, loosely distributed around the neoplastic cells (a less mature/active form). The function and role of CD1a- and langerin-positive DCs in HL call for further investigation. The topographic closeness of these DCs to RSCs suggests that these cells play a considerable role in the pathogenesis of HL.