Human T-cell lymphoma with suppressor effects on the mixed lymphocyte
reaction (MLR). I. Morphological and cytogenetic analysis
ME Gaeke, JW Vardiman, W Miller, M Medenica, JE Hopper and JD Rowley
The aggressive clinical course and the distinctive histologic,
cytochemical, and cytogenetic features of an adult non-Sezary T-cell
lymphoma with suppressor activity have been investigated. Morphological and
ultrastructural analysis of neoplastic cells from peripheral blood and
involved lymph nodes revealed cells with convoluted nuclei, prominent
cytoplasmic azurophilic granules, well developed Golgi apparatus, short
strands of endoplasmic reticulum, and moderate numbers of ribosomes and
mitochondria. Cytochemical reactions showed acid phosphatase (ACP)
positivity in virtually all of the neoplastic cells; and a substantial
percentage of the cells, the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (T-ACP)
isoenzyme was observed. Granular naphthyl acetate esterase (A-EST)
reactivity was not present. The histological and cytochemical features of
these neoplastic suppressor cells were compared with those recently
described for the suppressor T-cell fraction isolated from normal
peripheral blood T-cell by Fc gamma- rosette formation. The aneuploid clone
had 47 chromosomes with multiple complex abnormalities, including a 14q +
chromosome formed by the tandem translocation of two no. 14 chromosomes and
translocations involving the long arms of no. 2 and no. 9 at band 9q34.
These latter changes are particularly common in T-cell disorders. The
extensive analysis of this histologic, cytochemical, and cytogenetic
features of this adult T-cell suppressor lymphoma should help to clarify
the criteria for distinguishing among the subsets of T-cell neoplasms with
definable immunologic function.
Volume 57,
Issue 4,
pp. 634-641,
04/01/1981
Copyright © 1981 by The American Society of Hematology
