Bone marrow lymphocyte subsets in myelodysplastic syndromes

J Clin Pathol. 1994 Jun;47(6):505-7. doi: 10.1136/jcp.47.6.505.

Abstract

Aim: To examine lymphocyte subsets in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); and to correlate immunohistological variables with prognosis.

Methods: Bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens from 65 patients with MDS were immunophenotyped using a panel of antibodies. A minimum of 1000 cells from representative areas of marrow sections were counted at light microscopy. The association between immunohistological variables and prognosis was assessed.

Results: Compared with normal control marrows (n = 23) no major abnormalities of T cells (CD3), T cell subsets (CD4, CD8, CD25, TCR gamma/delta) or natural killer cells (CD56, CD57) were seen in the 65 patients. In high risk MDS (RAEB, RAEB-t) 19% of the cases showed increased numbers of B lymphocytes compared with none in the low risk group (RA, RARS) (p < 0.0090). Only percentages of B cells above 3% significantly correlated with poor survival (p = 0.0121 for CD19, p = 0.046 for CD22).

Conclusions: The deviations in T lymphocyte counts seen in peripheral blood and in bone marrow aspirates could not be verified in bone marrow biopsy specimens.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Bone Marrow / immunology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / immunology*
  • Prognosis
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology