Distribution of antigens defined by OKB monoclonal antibodies on benign and
malignant lymphoid cells and on nonlymphoid tissues
DM Knowles , B Tolidjian, CC Marboe, RS Mittler, MA Talle and G Goldstein
Monoclonal antibodies OKB1, OKB2, OKB4 and OKB7 have been previously shown
to detect distinctive antigens displayed on B, but not on T, lymphocytes.
Benign and malignant lymphoid cells were investigated for their reactivity
with these antibodies in cell suspension by indirect immunofluorescence and
in cryostat tissue sections by the avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase
technique. Fetal liver pre-B cells and pre-B and common type acute
lymphoblastic leukemia cells isolated from 15 patients were
OKB1-OKB2+OKB4-OKB7-. All mature lymphoid tissue B cells and the neoplastic
cell surface immunoglobulin-positive (SIg+) B cells isolated from each of
47 B cell neoplasms were OKB2+. OKB1 and OKB7 were expressed by
interfollicular, follicular center, and many, but not all, mantle zone B
cells. OKB4 was expressed by follicular center cells, but not by mantle
zone or interfollicular B cells. The neoplastic SIg+ B cells isolated from
45 of 47 B cell malignancies were OKB1+OKB4+, and those isolated from 45 of
46 B cell malignancies were OKB7+. The neoplastic B cells of one mantle
zone lymphoma were OKB1-, of one small lymphocytic cell lymphoma were
OKB7-, of one large cell lymphoma were OKB4-, and of one small lymphocytic
cell lymphoma with a monoclonal gammopathy were OKB1-OKB4-. Normal and
myeloma plasma cells were OKB-. The malignant T cells isolated from 12 T
cell neoplasms were OKB2-OKB4-, but were OKB1+ and/or OKB7+ in 3 cases.
Thus, the OKB antibodies appear to detect distinctive antigens that may be
expressed at different stages of B cell differentiation. In addition, OKB4
reacted with selected renal and respiratory epithelium, and OKB2 reacted
with a wide range of epithelial tissues. The OKB antibodies should prove
useful in the investigation of B cell differentiation and may aid in the
identification and characterization of lymphoproliferative malignancies
with significant therapeutic and prognostic differences not identifiable by
conventional histopathologic and immunologic methods.
Volume 63,
Issue 4,
pp. 886-896,
04/01/1984
Copyright © 1984 by The American Society of Hematology
