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Previous Volume 333:901-906 October 5, 1995 Number 14 Next

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ABSTRACT

Background There is strong evidence that Reed–Sternberg cells have a lymphoid phenotype, but clonally rearranged genes for B-cell and T-cell antigen receptors have not been demonstrable in tumor tissue from most patients with Hodgkin's disease. To elucidate this issue, we assayed single Reed–Sternberg cells from 12 patients with classic Hodgkin's disease of a B-cell immunophenotype to detect rearranged immunoglobulin variable-region heavy-chain (Vh) genes.

Methods We isolated single Reed–Sternberg cells from frozen sections that had been immunostained for CD30. The rearranged Vh genes of these cells were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by gel electrophoresis and nucleotide sequencing.

Results In all 12 patients, the Reed–Sternberg cells studied contained rearranged Vh genes. Three patterns were observed: in three patients the rearrangements in each patient were identical, in six patients all the rearrangements were unrelated and unique, and in three patients both identical and unrelated rearrangements were detected. Apparently somatic mutations of Vh genes were present in some Reed–sternberg cells but absent in others.

Conclusions Reed–Sternberg cells with B-cell phenotypes have rearranged Vh genes; therefore, these cells arise from B cells. The pattern of Vh gene mutations suggests that Reed–Sternberg cells can correspond to either immunologically naive or memory B cells. In half our patients the population of Reed–Sternberg cells was polyclonal; in the other half, monoclonal or mixed cell populations were found. Correlation with the clinical stage suggests that polyclonal Hodgkin's disease can present as a widespread lymphoma.

Source Information

From the Institute of Pathology, Klinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany (M.H., K.Z., H.L., H.S.); and the Hematopathology Unit, Second Service of Pathological Anatomy, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy (S.P., E.S.).

Address reprint requests to Professor Stein at the Institute of Pathology, Klinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany.

Full Text of this Article

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