Characterization of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. A study using a panel of monoclonal and heterologous antibodies.

A panel of monoclonal and heterologous antibodies directed against clearly defined antigens was used to characterize the cellular composition of 57 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, classified according to the Kiel classification, with a slight modification. The antisera were directed against T-lymphocytes and their subsets (Leu1, Leu2a, Leu3a, TA1), B-lymphocytes and their subsets (BA1, BA2, HLA-DR, CR1, sIg), macrophages (TA1, OKM1, anti-human monocyte 1, HLA-DR, CR1), dendritic reticulum cells (CR1, BA2, HLA-DR), interdigitating reticulum cells (HLA-DR, BA1) and Langerhans cells (OKT6, NA1/34). On the basis of the staining pattern of the neoplastic cells with the antibodies used and the nature and number of admixed cells, in particular T-cell subsets, dendritic reticulum cells and macrophages, the NHL could be divided into groups which correspond to the different diagnostic categories of the Kiel classification. Furthermore, the results underlined the existence of intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma as a separate diagnostic category. Histogenetically, the marker pattern of the neoplastic cells and the number and arrangement of the admixed cells are consistent with the view that at least two different lines of B-cell lymphomas can be recognized. One is related to the germinal centre cell reaction (to which B-lymphoblastic (Burkitt type), centroblastic, centroblastic/centrocytic, centrocytic, and intermediate lymphocytic lymphoma, and polymorphic immunocytoma belong) and the other is related to the plasma cell reaction (including chronic lymphocytic leucaemia and lymphoplasmacytoid immunocytoma), whereas B-immunoblastic lymphoma can originate from either line. Thus, polymorphic immunocytoma is a follicle centre cell lymphoma with differentiation into plasma cells rather than a lymphoplasmacytoid immunocytoma with blastic cells.