T-lymphocyte subsets in human lymph nodes: Relative increase of OKT-8+ cells in neoplastic and reactive B-cell proliferation

Cell suspensions obtained from 54 human lymph nodes involved by different pathological conditions were characterized by conventional markers and by the OKT-3, OKT-4, OKT-8, OKIa-1, and OKM-1 monoclonal antibodies. In 18 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, the majority of lymph node cells were mature T lymphocytes (E-RFC = 56 ± 9%; OKT-3+ = 63 ± 10%); among T-cell subsets, OKT-4+ cells were 49 ± 8% whereas OKT-8- cells were 21 ± 8% ( T4 T8 = 2.7 ± 1.1). This distribution of T-cell phenotypes was not similar in the different histological types of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. In fact, an increase in the percentage of OKT-8+ cells (25 ± 9%; P < 0.05) and a decrease in the values of the T4 T8 ratio (2.1 ± 1.0; P < 0.05) were observed in 9 cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of follicular type when they were compared to the mixed and sinus types. In 13 lymph nodes involved by B-cell lymphoma, the percentage of T lymphocytes was markedly reduced (E-RFC = 21 ± 12%; OKT-3+ = 27 ± 18%) and the percentage of OKIa-1+ cells (51 ± 15%) was significantly (P < 0.01) increased as compared to reactive nodes; in addition, in these cell suspensions, an increase in the relative proportion of OKT-8+ cells ( T4 T8 = 1.4 ± 0.7; P < 0.01) could also be demonstrated. Finally, a clear prevalence of OKT-4+ cells on OKT-8+ cells was demonstrated in 5 cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis ( T4 T8 = 3.9 ± 1.5; NS) and in 18 cases of Hodgkin's disease ( T4 T8 = 4.2 ± 2.0; P < 0.01). In tuberculous lymphadenitis, a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the percentage of OKM-1+ cells could also be demonstrated. © 1984.