Altered distribution of B and T lymphocytes in lymph-nodes from homosexual men with Kaposi's sarcoma.

Abstract Immunostaining of lymph-nodes from 10 homosexual men with Kaposi's sarcoma by anti-B lymphocyte monoclonal antibodies revealed an abnormally exuberant follicular hyperplasia with erosion of the mantle zone and disruption of surrounding follicles. There were numerous IgD-positive and B-1-positive lymphocytes (B cells) in the interfollicular areas; these cells were uncommon at these sites in normal lymphoid tissue. In the interfollicular T zone of lymph-nodes from patients with Kaposi's sarcoma the helper:suppressor ratio (0·9±0·3 SD) was significantly different from the value in controls (2·9±1·0). In nodes from Kaposi's sarcoma patients there were numerous suppressor cells in the hyperplastic follicular centres and mantle regions; in normal lymphoid tissue suppressor cells were uncommon at these sites. These results implicate B lymphocyte proliferation in the pathogenesis of altered immunological status in homosexual men with Kaposi's sarcoma.