SPIB, a novel immunohistochemical marker for human blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms: characterization of its expression in major hematolymphoid neoplasms

Blood. 2013 Jan 24;121(4):643-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-08-447599. Epub 2012 Nov 19.

Abstract

SPIB is an Ets transcription factor that is expressed exclusively in mature B cells, T-cell progenitors, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. In the present study, we developed a novel mAb against the SPIB protein and characterized its expression in major hematolymphoid neoplasms, including a series of 45 cases of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell (BPDC) neoplasms and their potential cutaneous mimics. We found that SPIB is expressed heterogeneously among B- and T-cell lymphoma types. Interestingly, SPIB is expressed in a large proportion of nongerminal center type DLBCLs. In cutaneous neoplasms, SPIB is overexpressed in all BPDC neoplasms, but none of its cutaneous mimics. SPIB remains overexpressed in all cases that lack 1 or 2 of the markers used for BPDC neoplasms (ie, CD4, CD56, TCL1, and CD123). We conclude that SPIB expression can be used as a tool for diagnosing BPDC neoplasms, but it needs to be tested in conjunction with the growing arsenal of markers for human plasmacytoid dendritic cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoid Tissue / metabolism
  • Lymphoid Tissue / pathology
  • Lymphoma / diagnosis
  • Lymphoma / genetics
  • Lymphoma / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • SPIB protein, human