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Mononuclear cell infiltrate and HLA-DR expression in low grade astrocytomas

An immunohistological study of 23 cases

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Summary

Frozen samples from 23 low grade (grade I and II) astrocytomas were studied by means of a panel of monoclonal antibodies to macrophages, lymphocytes (and their subsets) and HLA-DR antigens. Macrophages were present in low to moderate numbers in 38%–86% of cases, the variance in figures depending on the antibody used. T lymphocytes, the majority of CD8 phenotype, were detected in low numbers in 78% of tumours. B lymphocytes were scanty in 22% (5/22) and totally absent in the remaining cases. HLA-DR antigen was expressed by tumour cells in 35% (6/17) of cases. These findings indicate that in some low grade astrocytomas there is a mononuclear cell infiltrate with macrophages and secondarily CD8+lymphocytes playing the major role. The significance of these findings remains speculative at present.

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Supported in part by a grant from the Oxford District Health Authority and the A. von Humboldt Foundation

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Rossi, M.L., Cruz-Sanchez, F., Hughes, J.T. et al. Mononuclear cell infiltrate and HLA-DR expression in low grade astrocytomas. Acta Neuropathol 76, 281–286 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00687776

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00687776

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