CXCL13

CXCL13 is a chemokine upregulated in germinal centre T-helper cells. It is critical for B-cell entry into the germinal centre.

Immunohistochemical expression

In reactive lymphoid follicles, there is intense staining of follicular dendritic cells, histiocytes and T-helper cells¹. Histiocytes and rare small lymphocytes also stain within the paracortex¹.

		CXCL13	CD10
	Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma	31/35 (the staining highlighted perivascular clusters of atypical cells or larger aggregates adjacent to follicles.)1	26/351
	Peripheral T-cell lymphoma	2/20 (the two positive cases showed a Lennert lymphoma-like histology.)1	1/201

Diagnostic utility

Positivity in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma may help to distinguish it from peripheral T-cell lymphoma¹.

References

¹ Grogg KL, Attygale AD, Macon WR, et al. Expression of CXCL13, a chemokine highly upregulated in germinal center T-helper cells, distinguishes angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma from peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified. Mod Pathol 2006; 19:1101-7

This page last revised 13.8.2006.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop