Immunoelectron microscopic study of Hodgkin's disease.

Seven patients with Hodgkin's disease were studied for the presence of lysozyme and alpha-1-antitrypsin activity by immunoelectron microscopy. As a result, Reed-Sternberg cells, Hodgkin's cells, and atypical cells were distinctly positive for lysozyme in four cases and weakly positive in the remaining three cases. These cells were also positive for alpha-1-antitrypsin in all cases. Because the cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage also bore lysozyme and alpha-1-antitrypsin, it is suggested that Reed-Sternberg cells, Hodgkin's cells, and the atypical cells are derived from the monocyte-macrophage lineage.