Is CD117 Expression Related with Plasma Cell Differentiation, IRF4/MUM1 and CD38 Expressions in Lymphoid Neoplasms?

Authors: GÜLŞAH KAYGUSUZ, IŞINSU KUZU, SABA KİREMİTÇİ, DUYGU KANKAYA, ZEYNEP BIYIKLI

Abstract: Aim: In this study, we aimed to assess the expression of CD117 in a large series of both Hodgkin´s and non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma, and to investigate the association between the expression patterns of CD117, IRF4/MUM1, and CD38. Materials and Methods: A total of 237 lymphoma cases were selected and examined within six tissue microarray paraffin blocks. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against CD117, IRF4/MUM1 and CD38. Results: CD117 and IRF4/MUM1 immunoreactivity were seen in a subset of high-grade and low-grade B-cell lymphomas, as well as T-cell lymphomas and classical type Hodgkin´s lymphomas. CD38 positivity was only detected in 1% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and 66% of precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, in addition to myeloma cases. CD117 expression was not correlated with IRF4/MUM1 expression (P > 0.05). Two of three CD38- positive cases were positive for CD117. Conclusions: These results suggest that CD117 expression can be seen in a subset of T- or B- cell lymphoid neoplasms and plasma cell myelomas. It seems that there is no relation between the expression of CD117 and plasma cell differentiation markers in lymphomas.

Keywords: CD117 expression, lymphoma, CD38 reactivity, plasma cell differentiation, IRF4/MUM1 expression

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