Immunohistologic identification of phenotypic antigens associated with Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. A paraffin section study.

A combination of two monoclonal antibodies, designated LN-1 and LN-2, were used in an attempt to identify the corresponding antigens in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. The LN-1 antibody has been shown in previous studies in our laboratories to identify follicular center cells, whereas LN-2 marks certain B-cell subpopulations as well as interfollicular histiocytes. Utilizing the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique, paraffin-embedded sections were examined representing 39 cases of various histologic subgroups of Hodgkin's lymphoma following immunostaining with LN-1, LN-2, and the antibody to S-100. Of these 39 cases, the LN-2 antibody was found to consistently mark the majority of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. LN-1 was found to identify Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells in a smaller number of cases. In no instance were Hodgkin or Reed-Sternberg cells found to mark for the S-100 protein. The use of LN-1 and LN-2 antibodies facilitated the identification of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells and produced additional information regarding the phenotypic nature of these cells.