Plasmacytoid T-cell clusters in non-specific lymphadenitis (original) (raw)

Summary

The occurrence and morphology of_Lymphoblastennester_ (clusters of lymphoblasts) were analyzed in 500 unselected cases of non-specific lymphadenitis. Sixty-eight cases showed such clusters, which consist of uniform-looking medium-sized cells. Based on the results of recent immunologic investigations, these cells may be interpreted as T-cells with plasmacytoid features (“plasmacytoid T-cells”, PTC). PTC were usually located near venules in the pulp, but not in the generally hyperplastic T-nodules. There was usually no relation to hyperplasia of B-regions (follicles). Although occasional mitotic figures and basophilic blast cells were found at the edges of PTC clusters, it is possible that PTC develop through transformation of T-lymphocytes. PTC often showed pyknotic nuclei and a tendency to perish, suggesting that they are end cells. Necrotic cells were phagocytosed by macrophages, which occasionally caused a starry sky pattern like that seen in germinal centers. Sometimes there were also a few interdigitating reticulum cells in the clusters. The function of PTC is still obscure; they might secrete lymphokines.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsspital, Schmelzbergstr. 12, CH-8091, Zürich, Switzerland
   Regula Vollenweider
2. Institut für Pathologie, Klinikum der Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Hospitalstr. 42, D-2300, Kiel 1, Federal Republic of Germany
   K. Lennert

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1. Regula Vollenweider
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2. K. Lennert
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Vollenweider, R., Lennert, K. Plasmacytoid T-cell clusters in non-specific lymphadenitis.Virchows Archiv B Cell Pathol 44, 1–14 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02890155

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• Received: 23 February 1983
• Accepted: 09 May 1983
• Issue Date: January 1983
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02890155

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