Immunohistochemical reactivity of anti-B cell monoclonal antibodies in thymus, lymph node and normal skin

Post-medullary differentiation of B cell lineage largely depends on activation of secondary follicles in different lymphoid organs like spleen, tonsils, and lymph nodes. In all these organs the lymphatic follicles show the same basic structure and cytology. The phenotype of follicular lymphocytes is mainly related to different stages of B cell activation, and at present no organ-specific patterns of immunoreactivity have been reported (1). In the present study the immunohistochemical analysis of follicular reactivity of Workshop mAbs was restricted to the lymph node, whereas thymus and normal skin have been included to screen cross-reactivities against T lymphocytes and extra-medullary structures.