Flow Cytometry Analysis Reveals a Wide Cytologic and Immunophenotypic Spectrum of Peripheral B Lymphocytes in Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is an aggressive T-cell lymphoma commonly associated with B-cell dysregulation. Correlations involving B-cell dysregulation and clinicopathological features remain unclear. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We prospectively collected blood samples from 11 AITL patients and 17 healthy controls. The percentages of B-cell subpopulations and lymphocytes with IL-21 production were assessed using flow cytometry. Peripheral blood lymphocyte morphology was evaluated microscopically. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Six of 11 (54.5%) patients presented with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. Three of 11 (27.3%) tumor biopsies showed monoclonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement. The patients exhibited significantly lower levels of naive (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and class-switched (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) B cells than controls. The percentages of IgD−CD27− B cells (<i>p</i> = 0.007) and antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) (<i>p</i> = 0.001) were increased. Blood smears revealed atypical lymphocytes and immature plasma cells with morphological diversity. In comparison to normal controls, IL-21 production significantly increased in CD4+ (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and CD8+ (<i>p</i> = 0.020) T cells. B-cell clonality, <i>RHOA</i> G17V mutation, and the presence of sheets of clear cells and immature/mature plasma cells in lymph nodes were significantly associated with percentages of class-switched B cells and ASCs. The patients with circulating EBV DNA had a lower percentage of naive B cells (<i>p</i> = 0.009). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results demonstrated a wide spectrum of peripheral B-cell morphologies and immunophenotypes of peripheral B cells in AITL. These findings correspond to dysregulated B-cell immunity and heterogeneous clinicopathological features.