High numbers of tumour-infiltrating activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and frequent loss of HLA class I and II expression, are features of aggressive B cell lymphomas of the brain and testis

• Published in: The Journal of pathology Vol. 206; no. 3; pp. 328 - 336
• Main Authors: Riemersma, Sietske A, Oudejans, Joost J, Vonk, Marcel J, Dreef, Enno J, Prins, Frans A, Jansen, Patty M, Vermeer, Maarten H, Blok, Paul, Kibbelaar, Robbie E, Muris, Jettie JF, Schuuring, Ed MD, Kluin, Philip M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.07.2005; Wiley
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brain Neoplasms - genetics; Brain Neoplasms - immunology; CD3 Complex - genetics; CD3 Complex - immunology; CD4 Antigens - analysis; CD4 Antigens - genetics; CD8 Antigens - analysis; CD8 Antigens - genetics; central nervous system (CNS); cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL); Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - genetics; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - immunology; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - genetics; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - immunology; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - genetics; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - immunology; HLA Antigens - genetics; HLA Antigens - immunology; human leucocyte antigens (HLA); Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Lymphocyte Count - methods; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating - immunology; lymphoma; Lymphoma, B-Cell - genetics; Lymphoma, B-Cell - immunology; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse - genetics; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse - immunology; Male; Medical sciences; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Phenotype; Skin Neoplasms - genetics; Skin Neoplasms - immunology; Stomach Neoplasms - genetics; Stomach Neoplasms - immunology; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic - immunology; Testicular Neoplasms - genetics; Testicular Neoplasms - immunology; testis; HLA-System; Major histocompatibility system; Class II histocompatibility antigen; Central nervous system; Cytotoxicity; testis; Testicle; central nervous system (CNS); Encephalon; Number; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; T-Lymphocyte; Cytotoxic T lymphocyte; Class I histocompatibility antigen; High; cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL); Malignant hemopathy; B-Lymphocyte; Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte; Male genital system; Lymphoma; Anatomic pathology; human leucocyte antigens (HLA); Frequency; High malignancy
• ISSN: 0022-3417; 1096-9896
• DOI: 10.1002/path.1783

Loss of both HLA class I and class II expression in B cell lymphomas is a mechanism of escape from a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune response and will therefore give a strong selective survival advantage in tumours expressing strong immunogenic antigens. We investigated loss of HLA expression using specific antibodies on tissue sections from 254 B cell lymphomas originating from nodal and different extranodal sites in relation to numbers of tumour‐infiltrating T cells. Complete loss of HLA class I and II was observed in a minority of the nodal, stomach, and skin lymphomas but in the majority of the lymphomas originating from the testis and the CNS. Interestingly, relatively high percentages of activated CTLs were detected in both primary testicular and CNS lymphomas compared to lymphomas at other sites, with highest percentages in the testis (p < 0.0001). We conclude that loss of both HLA class I and II expression occurs very frequently in lymphomas originating from the testis and the CNS as compared to nodal and some other extranodal sites. The presence of high percentages of activated CTLs in the testicular and CNS lymphomas suggests that loss of HLA expression provides a strong growth advantage for lymphoma cells in these immune‐privileged sites. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.