TY - JOUR

T1 - Langerhans cell histiocytosis

T2 - An evaluation of histopathological parameters, demonstration of proliferation by Ki-67 and mitotic bodies

AU - Bank, Micha I.

AU - Rengtved, Pia

AU - Carstensen, Henrik

AU - Petersen, Bodil Laub

PY - 2003/2/1

Y1 - 2003/2/1

N2 - Purpose. Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a disease with a variable clinical manifestation, being localised (SS) or disseminated (MS). The etiology and pathogenesis of LCH is unknown. It is a proliferative disorder of monoclonal origin, but not necessarily neoplastic. In our study we evaluated histopathological parameters and proliferative activity in LCH. Materials and Methods. Infiltrates from 43 patients with LCH were investigated (nSS=32, nMS=11). We evaluated different histopathological parameters semiquantitatively, demonstrating proliferation using immunohistochemistry for Ki-67. Results. Overall, the histopathological picture of LCH was heterogeneous. The degree of eosinophilia and presence of necroses was significantly higher in SS-infiltrates compared to MS-infiltrates. Mitotic figures were detected in more than half the infiltrates. The Langerhans origin was verified by CD1a. Ki-67 was highly expressed in all but one infiltrate. Conclusion. The presence of necrosis and the degree of eosinophilia are related to SS-disease in our study. Ki-67 expression and the presence of mitotic figures indicate that local proliferation contributes to the accumulation of Langerhans cells. Supported by the histopathological appearance of the lesions and a level of Ki-67 expression lower than that of neoplastic tissue, we suggest that LCH is a reactive condition, possibly induced by immunostimulation caused by unknown agents.

AB - Purpose. Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a disease with a variable clinical manifestation, being localised (SS) or disseminated (MS). The etiology and pathogenesis of LCH is unknown. It is a proliferative disorder of monoclonal origin, but not necessarily neoplastic. In our study we evaluated histopathological parameters and proliferative activity in LCH. Materials and Methods. Infiltrates from 43 patients with LCH were investigated (nSS=32, nMS=11). We evaluated different histopathological parameters semiquantitatively, demonstrating proliferation using immunohistochemistry for Ki-67. Results. Overall, the histopathological picture of LCH was heterogeneous. The degree of eosinophilia and presence of necroses was significantly higher in SS-infiltrates compared to MS-infiltrates. Mitotic figures were detected in more than half the infiltrates. The Langerhans origin was verified by CD1a. Ki-67 was highly expressed in all but one infiltrate. Conclusion. The presence of necrosis and the degree of eosinophilia are related to SS-disease in our study. Ki-67 expression and the presence of mitotic figures indicate that local proliferation contributes to the accumulation of Langerhans cells. Supported by the histopathological appearance of the lesions and a level of Ki-67 expression lower than that of neoplastic tissue, we suggest that LCH is a reactive condition, possibly induced by immunostimulation caused by unknown agents.

KW - Histopathology

KW - Ki-67

KW - Langerhans cell histiocytosis

KW - Mitoses

KW - Proliferation

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037880477&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1034/j.1600-0463.2003.1110202.x

DO - 10.1034/j.1600-0463.2003.1110202.x

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 12716386

AN - SCOPUS:0037880477

VL - 111

SP - 300

EP - 308

JO - Acta Pathologica et Microbiologica Scandinavica - Section A Pathology

JF - Acta Pathologica et Microbiologica Scandinavica - Section A Pathology

SN - 0365-4184

IS - 2

ER -