Fibroblastic reticular cells and fibroblast-like cells determined by monoclonal antibodies B-F45 and B-D46 in humans

OBJECTIVE: Identification of stromal microenvironmental components of lymphoid organs is relatively harder at light microscopic level as few markers, which are mostly not very specific, are available to be used for such a purpose. We screened a large panel to determine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) those reactive with fibroblasts/fibroblast-like cells aiming to obtain further evidence for the organization and function of this cell group.

METHODS: Tissue samples of forty patients undergoing surgery in Otorhinolaryngology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Cardiovascular Surgery and General Surgery Departments, Hacettepe University Medical Faculty Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, due to different pathologies obtained as partial specimens of surgery which were apart from pathological examination were immunostained by indirect immunoperoxidase method in Histology and Embryology department in 2003.

RESULTS: Among the screened monoclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies B-F45 and B-D46 reacted with the members of the family, therefore examined in detail in available human organs. Among the unique staining patterns of these mAbs, reactivity on fibroblastic reticular cells, perineural sheet cells pericryptal/perivillous fibroblasts were striking.

CONCLUSION: Both mAbs will provide useful tools for further studies on stromal network of peripheral lymphoid organs and peripheral nerves.