EXPRESSION OF CYTOCHROME-B(558) ON B-CELL AND CD-30 POSITIVE-LYMPHOMAS

Expression of cytochrome b558, an essential constituent of the superox ide generating system in phagocytes, was demonstrated in B-lymphocytes . To determine its expression in malignant lymphoma (ML), 103 non-Hodg kin's MLs and 18 Hodgkin's (HD) MLs, together with non-tumorous lympho id tissues were immunohistochemically analyzed, using two antibodies s pecific for the cytochrome. In non-tumorous tonsils and lymph nodes, B -lymphocytes, especially in the mantle zones, and histiocytes stained heavily, while T-lymphocytes failed to stain. Among the SS B-MLs, all follicular lymphomas (9/9) and 18146 of the diffuse lymphomas were fou nd to express cytochrome b558. Among 48 T-MLs, 46 were unstained by an tibodies against the cytochrome. The two cytochrome b558-positive case s were CD 30-positive anaplastic large cell lymphomas. Sixteen of 18 H D patients had CD 30-positive Reed-Sternberg cells which also stained with antibody alpha LC (an anticytochrome b558 antibody). Thus, cytoch rome b558, represents a new lymphocyte differentiation antigen.