EXPRESSION OF ACTIVATION MARKERS CD23 AND CD69 IN B-CELL NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

The activation associated proteins CD23 and CD69 are expressed on cell s of different lineages upon mitogenic stimulation. CD23 is a well cha racterized multifunctional protein in lymphocyte development recognize d as a diagnostic marker for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. CD69 is on e of the earliest markers expressed after activation of T cells, but i ts function is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the e xpression of these antigens in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) in relation to clinical behaviour. Ninety samples from 84 patients with NHL of B cell type were studied for the expression of CD23 and CD69 in CD20(+) B cells by now cytometric dual parameter analysis. In individ ual lymphomas the CD23 and CD69 antigens showed an ''on or off'' patte rn with most or very few cells positive for each antigen. The CD23 ant igen was expressed in 23 of 53 (43%) indolent lymphomas and in 2 of 37 (5%) aggressive cases. Most indolent lymphomas (81%) and about half t he aggressive cases (53%) expressed the CD69 antigen. Thus, both marke rs were associated with indolent type. CD23 expression correlated with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia subtype and CD69 expression with male g ender, advanced stage, newly diagnosed lymphoma and shorter survival.