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Flow Cytometry of Hematological Malignancies 2E Jun 8 2021 - 1119611253 - Wiley Blackwell Claudio Ortolani Full Chapter PDF
Flow Cytometry of Hematological Malignancies 2E Jun 8 2021 - 1119611253 - Wiley Blackwell Claudio Ortolani Full Chapter PDF
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Flow Cytometry of Hematological Malignancies
To my wife, Angela, and to my sons Stefano, Paola, and Marzia
Flow Cytometry
of Hematological
Malignancies
Second Edition
CLAUDIO ORTOLANI md
Adjunct Professor of Laboratory of Diagnostic Cytometry
Urbino University
Urbino, Italy;
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as
permitted by law. Advice on how to obtain permission to reuse material from this title is available at
http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.
The right of Claudio Ortolani be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance
with law.
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John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA
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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
1 Antigens 1
v
Contents
CD2769
CD2870
CD3071
CD3373
CD3477
CD3879
CD4381
CD4582
CD45 Isoforms 87
CD4990
CD5693
CD5796
CD6197
CD62L98
CD6499
CD65101
CD66c102
CD71103
CD79104
CD81107
CD103108
CD117110
CD123112
CD138113
CD200114
CD305116
CD307 (IRTA) Antigen Family 117
CD371118
Non clustered (or primarily known with other names) antigens
Bcl‐2 Protein 119
Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors 121
CRLF2128
Cytotoxic Proteins 129
HLA‐DR130
Immunoglobulins132
KIR, CD158 isoforms 136
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) 139
NG2140
PCA‐1141
ROR1141
SLAM Molecules and SLAM‐associated Protein (SAP) 142
SOX11144
T‐cell Receptor (TCR) 145
Terminal Deoxy‐nucleotidyl‐transferase (TdT) 148
Toll‐like Receptors (TLR) 150
VS38151
ZAP‐70152
2 Diseases 155
vi
Contents
vii
Contents
viii
Contents
3 Appendix 293
ix
Contents
x
Foreword to the Second Edition
It has been about a decade since Dr. Claudio Ortolani gave us the revised and now follows the 2016 version of the WHO classifi-
first edition of Flow Cytometry in Hematologic Malignancies, and cation, while also including some newer entities not mentioned
in that time flow cytometry has solidified its place as a routine in the WHO monograph. In keeping with the changes in classi-
diagnostic test in the diagnosis and classification of leukemias fication, this book now includes a much more extensive discus-
and lymphomas. Over the decade, dozens of new markers have sion of phenotypic properties of the different types of T‐cell
been discovered, many of which are now a standard part of the lymphomas and histiocytic neoplasms than was available
flow cytometry arsenal. It is thus timely that Dr. Ortolani has cho- previously.
sen to update his work with this new second edition. As before, This book will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in
this work is extensively researched and prodigiously referenced, flow cytometry and hematologic malignancies. Trainees can eas-
with more than 1300 new references not included in the first edi- ily find detailed phenotypic information about any disease they
tion, bringing the total to more than 4500 relevant citations. are learning about, while even an expert, struggling with an unu-
These references not only cover the new markers, but also include sual case with a phenotype that appears contradictory to an
new information about common markers in use for years, and expected diagnosis, can quickly learn whether others have found
descriptions of the markers covered by the first edition have been similar patterns in that diagnosis; moreover, because the cita-
expanded to discuss these new advances. tions are so extensive, it is possible simply by considering the
In compiling this book, Dr. Ortolani has maintained the numbers of references to a phenotype to assess the weight of evi-
unique structure of the first edition, with the first part of the dence for a particular interpretation. Those of us in the field are
book oriented around individual antigens, and the second grateful that Dr. Ortolani took the time to update his work and
around diseases, supplementing the comprehensive text with produce a reference that will be useful for many years to come.
characteristic images to illustrate the key points raised. The first
section includes detailed information about normal tissue dis- Michael J. Borowitz, MD, PhD
tribution of antigens, and also includes a discussion of some key Professor of Pathology and Oncology
pitfalls in the interpretation of cytometric findings of many Director of Hematopathology and Flow Cytometry
antigens, before discussing pathologic conditions in which the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
antigens may be found. The disease section has been extensively Baltimore, MD, USA
xi
Foreword to the First Edition
Flow cytometry is a crucial tool in the diagnosis of hematolym- of organization makes more sense than only presenting lists of
phoid neoplasms, determining prognosis and monitoring neoplastic processes and the expected flow cytometric findings.
response to therapy. Clinical flow cytometric immunophenotyp- One has to first know the diagnosis on a particular patient before
ing, however, is a complex field requiring extensive expertise in such a reference can be useful. Flow Cytometry of Hematological
normal and abnormal patterns before clinical tests can be appro- Malignancies also provides the usual description of typical flow
priately interpreted. Those new to the field are left with the cytometric immunophenotypical findings in the various hema-
conundrum of how best to achieve this expertise. At particular tolymphoid neoplasms. This is useful as a reference for panel
disadvantage is the resident or clinical fellow seeking to interpret design as well as diagnosis.
flow cytometric data on a specific patient. The typical flow cytom- Flow Cytometry of Hematological Malignancies is being pub-
etry reference text is written in an encyclopedic format with lished at a time when the field is expanding rapidly and flow
extensive narrative that is not conducive to looking up the mean- cytometry is assuming an even greater role in management of
ing of unusual test results. Furthermore, the general flow cytom- patients with hematolymphoid neoplasia. Dr Ortolani, an out-
etry textbook, although a useful reference, cannot completely standing flow cytometrist, possesses extensive expertise in the
cover all the aspects needed to interpret clinical flow cytometry clinical arena. For over 30 years he was employed in the Clinical
data. Therefore, Flow Cytometry of Hematological Malignancies Pathology Department of the Venice General Hospital, running
fills a much needed role in hematopathology and hematology/ one of the first diagnostic flow cytometry units in Italy. His
oncology. The presentation is oriented toward the diagnostic main clinical activity was the diagnosis of hematological neo-
laboratory in the academic center as well as in the general
plasms, with a particular interest in lymphoproliferative dis-
hospital. eases. Dr Ortolani has also been very active in teaching flow
Flow Cytometry of Hematological Malignancies is organized cytometry in many national and international courses. He has
in a novel manner that makes it especially useful for the medical written what I believe to be an outstanding textbook covering
student and residents/fellows still in training, while still provid- the essential aspects of clinical flow cytometry. Dr Ortolani is
ing a valuable resource for hematopathologists, hematologists/ to be commended for this brilliant contribution that is sure to
oncologists and experts in the field of clinical flow cytometry. become a well-used textbook in clinical centers around the
It lists antigens typically studied in clinical flow cytometry world.
laboratories, from CD1 to CD138, followed by a discussion of
general as well as flow cytometric features and hematolymphoid Maryalice Stetler-Stevenson, PhD, MD
neoplasms expressing each antigen. Thus, when interpreting a Chief, Flow Cytometry Laboratory
clinical flow cytometry report, one can easily research an unu- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
sual antigen expressed by a leukemia or lymphoma. This pattern Bethesda, MD, USA
xii
Foreword to the First Edition
The European Society for Clinical Cell Analysis (ESCCA) is book under the auspices of the ESCCA. It represents a major
proud to present this volume by Dr Claudio Ortolani. Flow achievement for the dissemination of knowledge in one of the
Cytometry of Hematological Malignancies is a benchtop most important specialties within clinical cell analysis, as the
companion for all who are involved in the complex process of book aims to improve and standardize the diagnostic process of
characterization and diagnosis of leukemias and lymphomas by malignant blood diseases. As a result, communication between
immunophenotypical techniques and flow cytometry. clinicians and laboratory operators should benefit!
This volume is a useful quick reference text for the matching
of CD antigens with malignant hematological diseases, as defined Bruno Brando
by the WHO 2008 classification, taking into account antibody ESCCA President
clones, features and behavior, with particular emphasis on variant Director, Hematology Laboratory and Transfusion Center,
forms and unexpected presentations. Legnano Hospital, Milan, Italy
After several decades of clinical and laboratory practice in
this field, Dr Claudio Ortolani has meticulously prepared this
xiii
Preface to the Second Edition
Ten years have passed since the first edition of this book, 10 fruit- pre‐analytical and analytical components have become consid-
ful years full of new acquisitions in the field of Hematology. Many erably complicated. Even if an attempt to account for these
doubts have been clarified, new questions have been raised, problems has been made, in‐depth treatment of most of them is
and – above all – new therapeutic targets have been reached. beyond the scope of this book; they will be dealt with –
Although molecular biology keeps assuming ever greater impor- hopefully – in the next edition, together with the many other
tance, especially in the field of acute leukemias and myeloprolif- topics neglected this time.
erative neoplasms; nevertheless, flow cytometry still remains one
of the fundamental pillars of hematopathology and becomes even Claudio Ortolani MD
more and more important in particular areas such as the evalua- Adjunct Professor of Laboratory of Diagnostic Cytometry
tion of the minimal residual disease and the study of the pharma- Urbino University
codynamic characteristics of experimental therapies with Urbino, Italy
monoclonal antibodies.
Consultant Clinical Pathologist (retired)
In these 10 years, technology has also made substantial pro-
Ospedale dell’Angelo
gress, and today we have much more efficient tools than before,
Venice, Italy
but also much more complex ones, and consequently the
xv
Preface to the First Edition
The cytometric analysis of hematological malignancies is one of The author may have unwittingly sown a number of mis-
the most difficult applications of flow cytometry, requiring both a takes and imprecisions, and he will be grateful to all colleagues
good knowledge of hematopathology and good control of the who report these to him. He also realizes that this book could
technique. Moreover, the effort of operators is made harder by the not have been written without the help of many friends and
continuous evolution of the technology and by the continuous colleagues. Being unable to cite all of them, the author wants to
progress in the comprehension of the nature of the diseases. particularly thank his friend Bruno Brando, current President
This book was compiled from a series of notes originally of the European Society for Clinical Cell Analysis, for the
intended for people practically involved in the field of diagnos- continuous moral and practical support he has given over
tic flow cytometry, and it is an example of what the author would the years.
have liked to consult at the beginning of his own career. The
goal of this book is to offer the reader a quick and updated Claudio Ortolani MD
source of information on the phenotype of the hematological Former Director of the Flow Cytometry Unit
malignancies recognized by the last WHO classification, with Clinical Pathology Department
the major exception of Hodgkin lymphoma which because of its Venice General Hospital
peculiar nature is still beyond the limits of flow cytometry, even
if things promise to change in the next few years.
xvi
Abbreviations
xvii
Abbreviations
xviii
Abbreviations
xix
Abbreviations
NCAM neural cell adhesion molecule PPBL persistent polyclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis
NEC nucleated erythroid cells pPNET peripheral primitive neuroectodermic tumors
NGC next‐generation cytometry PPO platelet peroxidase
NK natural killer PRCA pure red cell aplasia
NKCE NK-cell enteropathy PTCL peripheral T‐cell lymphoma
NKP NK‐cell precursors PTCLnos peripheral T lymphoma not otherwise specified
NKR NK‐cell receptors PTFL pediatric‐type follicular lymphoma
NLPHL nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin PTLD post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease
lymphoma PV polycythemia vera
NMZL nodal marginal zone lymphoma RA refractory anemia
NPM nucleophosmin RAEB refractory anemia with excess of blasts
NRBC nucleated red blood cell RALD RAS‐associated autoimmune leukoproliferative
NSCHL nodular sclerosis classic Hodgkin lymphoma disorder
OS overall survival RARS refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts
PAL pyothorax‐associated lymphoma RCMD refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia
PB peripheral blood RCUD refractory cytopenia with unilineage dysplasia
PBL plasmablastic lymphoma RER rough endoplasmic reticulum
PCATCL primary cutaneous acral T‐cell lymphoma RN refractory neutropenia
PCAETL primary cutaneous aggressive epidermotropic ROR1 receptor‐tyrosine‐kinase‐like orphan receptor 1
cytotoxic T‐cell lymphoma RRV rhesus rhadinovirus
pcALCL primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell RT refractory thrombocytopenia
lymphoma RTE recent thymic emigrants
PCBCL‐LT primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lym- sALCL systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma
phoma “leg type” SAP SLAM‐associated protein
PC‐DLBCL primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell SCF stem cell factor
lymphoma SCLC small cell lung cancer
PC‐FCL primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma SDRPL splenic diffuse red pulp lymphoma
PC‐ENKTL primary cutaneous extranodal NK/T‐cell SFTS severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome
lymphoma SLAM signaling lymphocytic activation molecules
PCGD‐TCL primary cutaneous TCRγδ(+) T‐cell lymphoma SLF steel factor
PCH pseudo Chediak–Higashi SLL small lymphocytic lymphoma
PCL plasma cell leukemia SLVL splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes
PCMZL primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (obsolete)
PCNSL primary CNS lymphoma SM systemic mastocytosis
PcP peridinin‐chlorophyll‐protein SM‐AHNMD systemic mastocytosis with an associated clonal
PCSM‐TCL primary cutaneous lymphoma of medium/small hematological non‐mast cell disorder
CD4(+) T lymphocytes SMZL splenic marginal zone lymphoma
PD‐1 programmed death‐1 SPTCL subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma
PDC plasmacytoid dendritic cell SR(B)CT small‐round (blue) cell tumor
PDCL plasmacytoid dendritic cell leukemia SRCT small‐round‐cell tumor
PE phycoerythrin SS Sézary syndrome
PEL primary effusion lymphoma SSC side scatter
PEL pure erythroid leukemia SSEA stage‐specific embryonic antigen
PFS progression‐free survival T‐ALL T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
PHA phytohemagglutinin TAM transient abnormal myelopoiesis
PID primary immunodeficiency disease TCL1 T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma 1
PLEVA pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta T‐CLL T‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia
PMA phorbol myristate acetate T-CLPD T-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disease
PMBC peripheral mononuclear blood cells TCM T central memory
PMBCL primary mediastinal (thymic) large B‐cell TCR T‐cell receptor
lymphoma TCRAV T‐cell receptor A variable (region)
PMF primary myelofibrosis TCRBCL T‐cell‐rich large B‐cell lymphoma
PNET primitive neuroectodermic tumors TCRBV T‐cell receptor B variable (region)
PNH paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria TdT terminal deoxy‐nucleotidyl transferase
xx
Abbreviations
xxi
1 Antigens
1
Antigens
Non clustered (or primarily known with other names) NG2, 140
antigens PCA‐1, 141
Bcl‐2 Protein, 119 ROR‐1, 141
Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors, 121 SLAM Molecules and SLAM‐associated Protein (SAP), 142
CRLF2, 128 SOX11, 144
Cytotoxic Proteins, 129 T‐cell Receptor (TCR), 145
HLA‐DR, 130 Terminal Deoxy‐nucleotidyl‐transferase (TdT), 148
Immunoglobulins, 132 Toll‐like Receptors (TLR), 150
KIR, CD158 isoforms, 136 VS38, 151
Myeloperoxidase (MPO), 139 ZAP‐70, 152
2
CD1 Antigens
3
Antigens
Figure 1.1 Peripheral blood from a subject affected by T‐ALL. The blasts (red) express phenotype CD45(dim+) (A), CD1a(+) (B), CD3(+) (heterogeneous) (B), CD4(+) (C),
CD8(+) (partial) (D).
4
CD2 Antigen
Table 1.1 Differential diagnosis of CD5(−) CD10(−) B‐CLPDs CD1 antigens in neoplastic diseases of mature T
B‐CLPD CD1d CD200
and natural killer (NK) cells
The expression of CD1a antigens has been reported in rare cases
HCL Positive Positive of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) [45] and in an isolated
LPL Dimly positive Positive case of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) [46].
MZL Positive Negative Overexpression of CD1d mRNA has been detected in Sezary’s
B‐CLPD: B chronic lymphoproliferative disease; HCL: hairy cell leukemia;
cells by RT‐PCR [47], but this report has not yet been confirmed
LPL: lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma; MZL: marginal zone lymphoma. by phenotypic studies.
CD1 antigens in neoplastic diseases of mature B cells CD1 antigens in neoplasms of histiocytes and dendritic cells
It has been reported that B‐cell prolymphocytic leukemia (B‐PLL) As for the neoplasms of histiocytic and dendritic cells, CD1a,
cells express CD1c [9,37], that Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cells do CD1b, and CD1c have been demonstrated with immunohisto-
not express CD1c [7], and that hairy cell leukemia (HCL) cells chemical techniques in the Langerhans cell histiocytosis
express CD1a [38] and CD1c [9]. The cells of B‐CLL have been (LCH) [19,48,49]. One of the most typical features of the pulmo-
reported to express CD1a [9,29], CD1c [7], and CD1d; it is note- nary involvement in LCH is the occurrence of more than 5% of
worthy that CD1a on B‐CLL cells could be demonstrated only CD1(+) cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) [50].
with clones other than OKT6 or Na1/34 [29]. Cells with CD1a(+), CD207(+), CD11b(±), and CD11c(++) phe-
CD1d is usually expressed by the cells of the B‐CLPDs, but at notype have been detected in the peripheral blood of patients with
an intensity depending on the type of disease. Its intensity in active LCH [51]. CD1a expression has been reported in an anecdo-
B‐CLL is typically lower than in normal B cells, but it is pro- tal case interpreted as acute leukemia of Langerhans cell precur-
gressively higher on MCL, HCL‐variant (HCL‐v), lymphoplas- sors based on the presence of Birbeck granules and of the ability of
macytic lymphoma (LPL), splenic marginal zone lymphoma blasts to develop dendritic processes when cultured in vitro [52].
(SMZL), and HCL cells [12]. The combined exploration of CD1a has been demonstrated with immunohistochemical
CD1d and CD200 seems very promising in the differential techniques in the IDCT [53], but neither in the follicular den-
diagnosis of CD5(−) CD10(−) B‐CLPDs as well, inasmuch as a dritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) nor in the interdigitating dendritic
recent study has shown that HCL is CD1d(+) CD200(+), LPL is cell sarcoma (IDCS) [49].
CD1d(−/±) CD200(+), and MZL is CD1d(+) CD200(−) [39] Partial expression of CD1a and expression of CD1c have been
(Table 1.1). reported on the cells of an exceptional case of leukemia classified
CD1d antigen seems of particular interest in B‐CLL workup, as Langerhans cell/dendritic cell leukemia, which occurred in a
because its intensity of expression and the percentage of patient suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This
CD19(+) CD1d(+) cells are bad prognostic predictors [40,41]; case displayed CD11c(+), CD123(−), CD141(+), CD303(−),
according to some authors [42,43], but not to others [40], CD1d CD304(±/−), and CD207/Langerin(+/−) phenotype [54].
intensity seems to correlate with the absence of somatic
hypermutations [43]. CD1 antigens in other pathological conditions
Multiple myeloma (MM) cells express CD1d in the early CD1a has been reported on the cells of the so called “indolent T‐
stages but tend to reduce its expression with disease lymphoblastic proliferation” (iT‐LBP) [55], an entity not recognized
progression [44]. by the 2017 WHO classification (see also the dedicated paragraph).
CD2 Antigen
5
Antigens
Not all mature T lymphocytes co‐express CD2; in the periph- CD2(bright+) cells nearly exclusively express CD45R0, while the
eral blood small subsets of T lymphocytes exist that show CD2(dim+) population display either CD45R0 or CD45RA [74];
CD3(+) CD2(−) phenotype and are characterized by the expres- the staining of CD2(+) CD45RA(+) cells with an anti‐CD2 MoAb
sion of T‐cell receptor (TCR) either with αβ [60] or γδ generates a histogram with a channel peak representing the pres-
chains [61]. ence of 21 ± 4 E03 ABC while the staining of CD2(+) CD45R0(+)
The expression of CD2 is not restricted to the T lineage. lymphocytes with the same MoAb generates a histogram with a
Indeed, it is well known that CD2 is expressed: channel peak representing the presence of 55 ± 9 E03 ABC [72].
• on 70–90% of the NK cells negative for CD3 [62,63], where it is In accordance with the state of chronic activation caused by
upregulated by activation [64] HIV infection, the lymphocytes of HIV‐infected subjects seem
• on a minority of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) [65] to express a higher amount of CD2 molecules [75], whereas a
• on a subset of mononuclear peripheral cells interpreted as pre- reduced expression has been documented on the lymphocytes
cursors of MDCs [66] of elderly subjects [76]. According to some authors, the expres-
• on a subset of peripheral monocytes characterized by the co‐ sion of CD2 on NK cells is inhomogeneous, being more intense
expression of Fcε receptor (FcεRI) [67] in the CD16 dim CD56 bright subset than in the CD16 bright
• on a subset of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) [68] CD56 dim subset [77].
• on a small subset of B cells in fetal liver [69], in fetal bone mar- Not all the anti‐CD2 MoAbs behave in the same way; some
row [69], in thymus [70], in peripheral blood [71], and in the clones are able to inhibit the E‐rosette formation [78], while
bone marrow of normal subjects [71]. others are able to activate T lymphocytes in vitro [79].
The staining of peripheral normal lymphocytes with an anti‐CD2 CD2 in myelodysplastic and chronic myeloproliferative
monoclonal antibody (MoAb) generates a positive histogram diseases
with a narrow gaussian‐like peak, clearly separated from the nega- CD2 has been reported in a third of cases of CMML [80].
tive component, with a channel peak representing the presence of
24 ± 7 E03 ABC (antibody‐binding capacity) [72]. CD2 in neoplastic diseases of mast cells
Bimodal histograms can often be seen, especially when CD2 has been reported together with CD22 and CD25 on the
immune system activation is ongoing, because a higher number neoplastic mast cells in systemic mastocytosis (SM) and acute
of CD2 molecules is expressed on activated cells [73] (Fig. 1.2). mast cell leukemia (AMCL) [81–83]. However, an aberrant CD2
In these cases, the CD2(bright+) population tends to show (and CD25) expression can be found on mast cells in the bone
higher values of forward and side scatter than the CD2(dim+) marrow of subjects without evidence of neoplasms of mast or
population. myeloid stem cell [84].
SSC CD25
(A) (B)
CD2 CD2
Figure 1.2 The histogram produced by the cytometric analysis of CD2 is bimodal (A), because the activated CD25(+) lymphocytes (red) express more CD2 molecules than
CD25(−) lymphocytes (blue) (B).
6
CD2 Antigen
CD2 in neoplastic diseases of B‐cell precursors has been demonstrated on the surface of normal B lympho-
CD2 has been reported in 1–4% of the globally considered neo- cytes [71], it is theoretically possible that these cases constitute a
plastic diseases of B‐cell precursors [85–87], where it is associated clonal expansion of very infrequent normal B cells rather than an
with a worse prognosis [88]. expansion of B‐cell with an aberrant phenotype.
Nonetheless, the expression of CD2 has been detected in just The expression of CD2 has occasionally been demonstrated
less than 25% of the cases of B‐ALL with KMT2A‐MLLT3 in the sporadic B‐CLL [71], but it seems particularly frequent in
translocation [4565]. familial B‐CLL, where it appears in 13% of the cases [116]; the
demonstration of CD2 on the cells of a patient affected by B‐
CD2 in neoplastic diseases of T‐cell precursors CLL suggests that clinical investigations should be extended to
According to the EGIL classification of T‐lymphoblastic leuke- the relatives as well [116].
mias, CD2 is typically present in the T II, T III, and T IV forms, Furthermore, CD2 has been demonstrated in some cases of
but is missing in the most immature form, T I [34,89]. In a pedi- follicular lymphoma (FCL) [71], in some cases of diffuse large
atric group of more than 100 cases of T‐ALL, CD2 has been B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) [71,117–120], in some cases of
detected in 80% of the patients [4565]. DLBCL associated with pyothorax (PAL) [121], in some cases of
CD2 is generally expressed by the cases with TCRαβ, but only HCL [71], and in a case of MM [122].
by some cases with TCRγδ [90,91]; its presence in childhood
cases is correlated with an increased probability of maintaining CD2 in neoplastic diseases of mature T and NK cells
complete remission [92]. CD2 is generally expressed on the cells of the neoplastic diseases
of mature T and NK cells, but it may also be missing or expressed
CD2 in AML and BPDCN in an aberrant way. In the peripheral T lymphoma not otherwise
Depending on the survey, the expression of CD2 has been specified (PTCLnos), about a third of the cases has been reported
reported in 3–34% of the observed cases [93–100]. CD2 has been to show an aberrant antigen expression [123,124]. An aberrant
reported: CD2 expression has been reported with immunohistochemical
• on the blasts of pediatric AML‐M2 negative for translocation methods in atypical cutaneous T‐cell infiltrates of subjects
t(8;21) [101] affected by mycosis fungoides (MF) [125], and with flow cytomet-
• on the promyelocytes of AML‐M3, with predilection for the ric (FCM) methods on neoplastic lymphocytes of subjects affected
microgranular variant (AML‐M3v) [99,102,103], and for the by Sézary syndrome (SS) [126], by T‐cell chronic lymphocytic
presence of the “short” type of the PML‐RARA fusion leukemia (T‐CLL) and by ATLL [127].
gene [100,103] The CD2 expression is more constant in the cases of angioim-
• on both the monocytic and non‐monocytic neoplastic cells of munoblastic T‐cell lymphoma (AITL) [124], while in T‐cell
AML‐M4 [80,99,104] large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T‐LGL) it has been
• on the blasts of AML‐M5 [80] reported either as constant [128] or as variable [129]. The cases
• on the blasts of de novo AML with inv3(q21q26.2) and mono- of CD8(+) cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CD8(+) CTCL) with
somy 7 [105–107]. CD2(+) CD7(−) phenotype show a better prognosis than those
The presence of CD2 (and also of CD4, CD7, and CD56) with phenotype CD2(−) CD7(+) [130].
on the blasts of AML is correlated with an increased risk of In the neoplastic diseases of mature NK cells, CD2 may be
extramedullary disease (granulocytic sarcoma, and cutane- missing [131] but it has been reported in most cases of chronic
ous, gingival, and meningeal involvement) [108], and with a NK cell lymphocytosis (CLPD‐NK/CNKL) [131–133], of
lower incidence of complete remission [109]. The CD2 aggressive NK cell leukemia (ANKL) [134,135], and of NK
expression has been reported in cases of AML with morpho- lymphoma [136].
logical anomalies mimicking the picture of Chediak–Higashi
disease (pseudo Chediak–Higashi, PCH) [110], and in some CD2 in Hodgkin lymphomas
cases of BPDCN, also known as plasmacytoid dendritic cell CD2 has been demonstrated by IHC in the Hodgkin and Reed–
leukemia (PDCL) [111]. The presence of CD2 on AML‐M3 Sternberg (HRS) cells of isolated cases of classic Hodgkin lym-
promyelocytes correlates with the occurrence of thrombotic phoma (CHL), but in most instances, its expression has been
events [112]. judged as aberrant [4626,4627].
In AML‐M4 with inv(16)/t(16;16), the expression of CD2 is Increased expression of CD5 has been documented by FCM
variable, and has been reported as weaker in cases with fusion on non‐neoplastic T cells in the background of pathological tis-
transcript CBFβ‐MYH11 other than type A [113]. sues from CHL [4636,4637].
CD2 in neoplastic diseases of mature B cells CD2 in neoplasms of histiocytic and dendritic cells
Sporadic reports exist signaling the presence of CD2 in isolated CD2 has been demonstrated by IHC on the membrane of the cells
cases of B lineage non‐Hodgkin lymphoma [114,115]. Since CD2 of LCH [137].
7
Antigens
CD3 Antigen
8
CD3 Antigen
(A) (B)
CD3 CD3
CD3 CD3
Figure 1.3 Pattern of expression of T‐specific CD3 antigen on peripheral T lymphocytes. The positive peak can show a bimodal appearance (A–C), because γδ(+) T
lymphocytes (red) express more CD3 molecules than αβ(+) T lymphocytes (B, D).
Figure 1.4 Different patterns of expression of T‐specific CD3 antigen on peripheral γδ(+) T lymphocytes. Vδ1/Jδ1(+) γδ(+) T lymphocytes (red) express CD3 less brightly
than the Vδ1/Jδ1(−) γδ(+) T lymphocytes (blue) (A–C). Vδ1/Jδ1(+) γδ(+) T lymphocytes were recognized by MoAb δ‐TCS‐1, and γδ(+) T lymphocytes were recognized by
MoAb 11F2.
9
Antigens
other normal residual T cells. This behavior is frequently reported MoAb WT31
in patients affected by mature T‐cell malignancies [123,176]. In the same way as OKT‐3, SK7/Leu4 and UCHT‐1, the MoAb
In comparison to mature T cells, thymocytes express CD3 WT31 recognizes CD3ε chains in cells transfected with genes
with a different intensity; as a rule, most common or cortical coding for ε and δ chains or for ε and γ chains, but do not recog-
CD1(+) CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes express low amounts of nize CD3ε chains in cells transfected with genes coding for ε
CD3, while mature or medullar CD1(−) and CD4(+) or CD8(+) chains only [185]. This behavior confirms that, contrary to the
thymocytes express the molecule in the same way as mature T original hypothesis [189] and in keeping with successive
lymphocytes [155,177], with a differential higher expression on remarks [164], MoAb WT31 is not specific for a TCRαβ determi-
CD4(+) CD8(−) T cells [75]. nant, but binds a conformational epitope on CD3ε chains, and
A CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocyte subset has been reported should be considered a bona fide anti‐CD3 antibody.
expressing high levels of CD3; it is hypothesized that this subset Nevertheless, it should be stressed that the epitope recog-
is a late differentiation stage between cortical and medullar nized by MoAb WT31 is particularly accessible to this MoAb in
thymocytes [178]. the case of TCRαβ co‐expression; this condition makes MoAb
As mentioned previously, the CD3 can be looked for both WT31 fit for the presumptive identification of TCRαβ T cells,
on the membrane and in the cytoplasm of the cell. The demon- especially if used in combination with a second antibody spe-
stration of the intracytoplasmic molecule requires the use of cific for the same chain. In this case, the sterical hindrance
permeabilization techniques which allow intracellular entry of between the two antibodies blocks the binding between WT31
the antibody. Although they could be improved by some opti- and the ε chain of T cells bearing TCRγδ, and WT31 behaves
mization procedures [179], such techniques can rely on the like a MoAb specific for TCRαβ only.
use of standardized commercial permeabilizing solutions In these conditions, the staining of peripheral normal T lym-
[180–183]. phocytes with the WT31 MoAb generates a histogram with a
Great care should be spent in the evaluation of membrane CD3 negative peak encompassing T cells bearing TCRγδ (Fig. 1.5).
expression in T‐CLPDs; it is indeed possible that in some cases the The removal of the sterical hindrance allows the WT31 MoAb
neoplastic cells dismiss the antigen after prolonged staining proce- to bind the ε chain of T cells with TCRγδ, although in a weaker
dures. This possibility is also suggested by the cytograms pub- way than TCRαβ T cells. Indeed, if we stain a sample containing
lished in a recent report which demonstrated a bimodal CD3(−)/ a high number of γδ T cells using both the WT31 MoAb and a
CD3(dim+) population in directly stained samples but only a second MoAb specific for TCRγδ, the WT31 MoAb will generate
monomodal CD3(−) population in permeabilized ones [184]. a histogram with a first positive peak which encompasses γδ
negative T cells, and a second positive but intermediate peak
MoAb OKT3, SK7/Leu4 and UCHT‐1 which encompasses γδ positive ones (Fig. 1.6).
The three monoclonal antibodies OKT‐3, SK7/Leu4 and UCHT‐1 From a practical point of view, the possibility of sterical hin-
recognize CD3ε chains in cells transfected with genes coding for ε drance between the WT31 MoAb and another anti‐CD3ε MoAb
and δ chains or for ε and γ chains, but do not recognize CD3ε suggests that a sequential staining procedure should be per-
chains in cells transfected with genes coding for ε chains formed, in which the sample is incubated first with WT31 alone
only [185]. This behavior suggests that the three antibodies recog- and then with the other anti‐CD3ε antibody.
nize a conformational ε chain epitope, depending on the associa-
tion of ε chain with δ or γ chain, and are not able to detect isolated MoAb T3
intracytoplasmic ε chains [185]. The FITC‐conjugated form of T3 displays unexpected behav-
Consequently, a negativity for intracytoplasmic ε chains ior [190]. In a multicolor analysis which combines a MoAb spe-
accomplished with one of the aforementioned antibodies is not cific for TCRγδ (clone 11F2) and a second anti‐CD3ε MoAb
sufficient proof of ε chain absence, and should be validated (clone SK7), the FITC‐conjugated form of T3 does not recognize
using an antibody specific for isolated ε chains, such as SP34 and γδ T cells (Fig. 1.7).
APA 1/1, or a polyclonal rabbit antiserum raised against a syn- It is interesting to notice that in this model, T3‐FITC behaves
thetic polypeptide mimicking a sequence on the intracytoplas- very similarly to WT31, which is shown for comparison
mic tail of the ε chain [186]. This point is of some practical (Fig. 1.8).
importance. Given that in thymocyte cytoplasm δ and ε chains The anomalous behavior of T3‐FITC is difficult to explain.
are simultaneously expressed from the prothymocyte level The small molecular volume of FITC rules out a sterical hin-
onwards [187], these three antibodies are perfectly suitable for drance effect, and the independence of the phenomenon from
demonstrating the intracytoplasmic CD3 antigen in T‐cell the length of incubation does not suggest affinity variations
malignancies but could miss it in some cases of NK neoplasms. induced by the conjugation procedures.
It has been also reported that MoAb UCHT‐1 is able to stain It has been observed that, owing to a different glycosylation
the cerebellar Purkinje cells [188]. pattern, CD3δ chains in γδ T cells display a more acidic isoionic
10
CD3 Antigen
WT31 WT31
CD3
(SK7) WT31
Figure 1.5 If lymphocytes are stained with an anti CD3ε antibody (MoAb SK7 in the reported example), MoAb WT31 does not recognize γδ(+) T lymphocytes (red) (A,B,D)
and behaves like a “bona‐fide” anti TCR αβ MoAb.
TCR γδ (B)
(A)
(11F2)
WT31 WT31
Figure 1.6 Without the steric hindrance caused by the anti CD3ε antibody, Moab WT31 recognizes γδ(+) T lymphocytes (red) as well, although weaker than αβ(+)
ones (A, B).
11
Antigens
TCR γδ
(11F2) CD3 SK7 CD3 T3
Figure 1.7 When conjugated with FITC, MoAb T3 (A, B, F) does not recognize γδ(+) T lymphocytes (red) (B, C, D). γδ(+) T lymphocytes express more CD3 molecules than
γδ(−) T lymphocytes (E).
point than CD3δ chains in αβ T cells [191]. It could be hypoth- intracellular isolated CD3ε chains in NK lymphoma
esized perhaps that FITC increases the total negative charge of cells [195–197].
the FITC‐conjugated antibody, allowing its binding with CD3δ Other interesting clones are clone F101.01, which displays a
chains in αβ T cells, but preventing its binding with the more behavior similar to clone WT31 [198], and clone 446, which
glycosylated CD3δ chains in γδ T cells. cross‐reacts with a determinant in the cytoplasm of basal
keratinocytes [199].
Other antibodies Furthermore, several antibodies anti‐CD3ζ chains are com-
Some antibodies do exist that are able to recognize isolated CD3ε mercially available, among which clone TIA‐2 should be
chains. These include the MoAb SP‐34, APA 1/1 [185] and cited [200]. This antibody reacts with an intracytoplasmic
F7.2.38 [192], as well as a polyclonal rabbit antiserum which dis- epitope and requires the permeabilization of the sample [201].
plays a high cross‐specificity and is even able to react with
Australian koala’s T lymphocytes [193].
MoAb SP‐34 can recognize isolated ε chain either on the Diagnostic features
membrane or in the cytoplasm [185] and is able to identify T
cells from all but two non‐human primate species tested and It is important to bear in mind that in acute leukemia characteriza-
from the Siberian tiger as well [194]. tion as well as in every doubtful case, the CD3 antigen must be
Clones F7.2.38 and APA 1/1 have been raised against an looked for both on the surface and in the cytoplasm [202] (Fig. 1.9).
intracellular epitope and can consequently recognize only intra- Nevertheless, it should be stressed that the presence of intra-
cellular chains [192]. Either the rabbit polyclonal antibody or cytoplasmic CD3ε chains is not necessarily to be interpreted as
the MoAb F7.2.38 reacts with isolated CD3ε chains in formalin‐ a proof of T lineage attribution, given that CD3ε chains can be
fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue samples. This is a very impor- demonstrated in NK cell lines [144,203], in NK malignan-
tant point, because their use in IHC allows the detection of cies [197,203,204], in some cases of the so‐called myeloid/NK
12
CD3 Antigen
CD3 T3 CD3 T3
WT31 WT31
Figure 1.8 Comparison between WT31 and T3‐FITC monoclonal antibodies. Neither WT31 (C, D) nor T3‐FITC (A, B) recognize γδ(+) T lymphocytes (red).
mCD3
cyCD3
Figure 1.9 Combined membrane and cytoplasmic CD3 staining in a case of T‐ALL. The technique allows the distinction between mCD3(+)/cyCD3(+) residual lymphocytes
(blue) and mCD3(−)/cyCD3(+) leukemic blasts (red).
13
Antigens
cell precursor acute leukemia (M/NK-AL) [204,205], in cyCD3(+) phenotype and expressed the following antigens:
PDCs [146], and in some cases of BPDCN [206,207]. CD1a, CD2, CD4, CD13, CD19, CD30, CD33, and CD56 [221].
14
CD3 Antigen
Figure 1.10 A putative case of M/NK‐AL whose blasts (red) display SSC values typical of small/medium‐size mononuclear cells (A), express CD45 at an intensity lower than
normal lymphocytes (B), and display phenotype CD7(+), CD56(+), CD34(+) (C, D) and weak positivity for cyCD3 (E, F). M/NK‐AL is not recognized by the 2017 WHO
Classification of Tumours of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues.
• one case of primary mediastinal (thymic) large B‐cell lym- CD3 in neoplastic diseases of mature T and NK cells
phoma (PMBCL) [245] The cells of the neoplastic diseases of mature T cells are usually
• one case of pyothorax‐associated lymphoma (PAL) [246] but not always positive for CD3 (Fig. 1.11). An immunohisto-
• rare cases of DLBCL [117–120, 247–249] chemical study detected the presence of CD3 in no more than
• two cases of BL [118] 71% of the cases of PTCLnos, in no more than 60% of the cases of
• one case of FCL [118] AITL, and in no more than 26% of the cases of systemic anaplastic
• one case of CD30(+) anaplastic DLBCL [250]. large cell lymphoma (sALCL), with a significantly more frequent
Moreover, contrary to these assumptions and according to expression in the ALK1(+) cases [253]. Another independent
studies performed on selected patients, some groups of B‐ study has confirmed the particularly low frequency of CD3 posi-
CLPDs seem to exist in which an aberrant expression of CD3 is tivity in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and other
more frequently detected. This groups encompass: CD30(+) T chronic lymphoproliferative diseases [254].
• the primary effusion lymphomas (PELs) and HHV8(+) DLBCL, Sometimes the CD3 can be expressed in an aberrant way, i.e.
in which about a third of cases demonstrated an aberrant CD3 with less or more intensity than in normal mature T cells, and
expression [121,251] sometimes it may be detected in the cytoplasm, but not on the
• the B‐cell neoplasms with plasmablastic differentiation (PBL cell surface [123].
and plasmablastic myelomas), in which most cases expressed the In PTCLnos, CD3 is aberrantly expressed in a proportion of
antigen with a strong cytoplasmic pattern [252] cases varying from 6% to 66% of the total [45,123,255–263]. In
• the HHV8(+) germinotropic lymphoproliferative disorder the more recent studies, the higher percentage of aberrations is
(GLPD), in which CD3 has been detected by IHC in just under a probably due to the increasing sensitivity of modern cytometric
third of cases [4579–4581]. techniques.
15
Antigens
CD4 CD4
(A) (B)
CD3 CD3
CD4 CD4
(C) (D)
CD3 CD3
Figure 1.11 Aberrant CD3 expression on neoplastic CD4(+) cells (red) in four cases of neoplastic disease of mature T cells. (A) AITL, (B) ALCL, (C) T‐PLL, (D) PTCLnos.
In ATLL, CD3 can be missing or dimly expressed [264–270], affected by hypereosinophilic syndrome. In this last case, hyper-
and it has been reported that a bivariate analysis carried out for eosinophilia represents a paraneoplastic response to the over-
CD3 and CD7 can allow the staging of the disease, distinguish- production of IL‐5 by the pathological T clone [288].
ing asymptomatic HTLV‐I carriers and patients with smolder- The cells of the neoplastic diseases of mature NK cells do not
ing, chronic and acute disease on the basis of the quantitation of express the CD3/TCR complex on the membrane but can con-
three subsets of cells, i.e. CD7(−) CD3(±), CD7(±) CD3(±), and tain free CD3ε and CD3δ chains in the cytoplasm. Accordingly,
CD7(+) CD3(+) [271]. the phenotype mCD3(−)/cyCD3(+) is a typical although not
Missing or aberrant (decreased) expression of CD3 has been exclusive feature of this type of disease, and it has been docu-
reported in T‐cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T‐PLL) [268,272,273], mented in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma “nasal type” (ENKTL)
AITL [274,275], T‐LGL [268,276,277], SS, and MF [176,278–280], [195] [197] [203] [204] [289] [291] [293] [294] [297–299], and in
enteropathy‐associated T‐cell lymphoma (EATCL) [281], mono- ANKL [134,294,300].
morphic epitheliotropic intestinal T‐cell lymphoma (MEITL) [282],
and PTCLnos [45,124]. According to a recent report, the γδ T cells CD3 in Hodgkin lymphomas
of hepatosplenic T‐cell lymphoma (HSTCL) typically express CD3/ CD3 has been demonstrated by IHC in the HRS cells of isolated
TCR complex at a lesser intensity than normal γδ T cells [283]; cases of CHL, but in most instances, its expression has been
moreover, the neoplastic cells, either TCRγδ(+) or TCRαβ(+), can judged as aberrant [4625–4627].
lose the expression of CD3 [284–286].
Neoplastic populations of T cells with mCD3(−)/cyCD3(+) CD3 in neoplasms of histiocytic and dendritic cells
phenotype have been detected in the peripheral blood in An aberrant focal cytoplasmic expression of CD3ε chain has been
patients affected by AITL [287] and in a subset of patients detected by IHC in one case of Langerhans cell sarcoma [301].
16
CD4 Antigen
CD3 in other pathological conditions In some cases of so‐called “myeloid and lymphoid neoplasm
CyCD3 has also been reported in the cells of the so‐called iT‐ with FGFR1 abnormalities,” also known as “8p11 stem cell syn-
LBP [55], an entity not recognized by the 2017 WHO drome,” the expression of CD3 has been demonstrated by IHC
classification. not only in T lymphoblasts but in myeloid blasts as well [302].
CD4 Antigen
17
Antigens
express the mutually exclusive phenotypes CD4(+) CD8(−) and express the epitope recognized by the MoAb OKT4, but nor-
CD4(−) CD8(+) [155,311]. mally express the epitopes recognized by OKT4A and Leu3a
Unlike T lymphocytes with TCRαβ, T lymphocytes with MoAbs. In these subjects, OKT4 MoAb does not recognize
TCRγδ do not express CD4. Nevertheless, it has been reported CD4, or produces positive histograms with a peak channel con-
that at least in some subjects, γδ T lymphocytes express CD4 at sistent with an intensity of expression about half that of normal
a frequency ranging between 1% and 4% [312]; this frequency controls [329]. This anomaly is exceptionally reported in
can be increased in vitro by infection with HHV‐6 virus [313]. Caucasians [330], is rare (<1%) in the Japanese population [329],
CD4 is also expressed by immature NKT cells [2], by a subset of but is relatively frequent in populations of African origin [331].
mature NKT cells [2], and by APC, including monocytes [314], It must finally be remembered that the phenotype OKT4(−)/
macrophages [314], MDCs [315], PDCs [315], Langerhans Leu3a(+) is not the only possible anomalous phenotype; an
cells [314], activated microglial cells [316], dendritic cells of isolated report exists about an apparently normal subject selec-
cord blood [317], and FDCs [65], which seem selectively nega- tively lacking the epitope recognized by Leu3a MoAb [332].
tive for the epitope recognized by the clone OKT4D [65]. The staining of peripheral normal lymphocytes with an anti‐
CD4 is expressed on hemopoietic precursors [318], erythroid CD4 MoAb generates a positive histogram with a narrow gauss-
precursors [319] and megakaryocytes [4735], and it has been ian‐like peak, clearly separated from the negative component,
reported on a subset of neutrophils in some subjects either healthy with a channel peak representing the presence of 50 ± 10 E03
or affected by HIV infection [320]. CD4 can be induced on baso- ABC [72], equivalent to the presence of around 100 E03 mole-
phils [321] and it is constitutively although weakly expressed on cules of CD4 per cell [333].
eosinophils [322], but not on mast cells [81]. Finally, CD4 has Besides this population, operationally defined CD4(bright+),
been documented on tonsillar activated B cells [323], on a there is sometimes a second little population of CD4(+) lym-
minority of NK cells [324], and on activated CD8(bright+) T phocytes characterized by a reduced expression of the antigen
lymphocytes in the course of HIV infection [325]. (about 50 E03 molecules per cell). These CD4(dim+) lympho-
cytes account for 5–10% of all the peripheral lymphocytes, are
characterized by a reduced expression of CD3, co‐express CD25
Cytometric features and HLA‐DR, are increased in old age, and have been inter-
preted as chronically activated and apoptosis‐resistant lympho-
The monoclonal antibodies OKT4, OKT4A, OKT4B, OKT4C, and cytes [76,174] (Fig. 1.12).
OKT4D recognize different epitopes [326], and it is known that some A reduced expression of CD4 on T lymphocytes has been
clones, such as Leu3a, OKT4A, and F101–69, recognize epitopes documented in subjects affected by B‐CLL [334] and by
related to the binding site for the gp120 protein of HIV‐1 virus [327]. Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) [335].
In the human, the distribution of CD4 epitopes depends on a Finally, it should be borne in mind that thymocytes and
genetically determined polymorphism, consisting of the substi- monocytes express the antigen at a lesser extent than mature T
tution of a molecule of tryptophan for a molecule of arginine in lymphocytes [336]; in particular, CD4 is expressed on periph-
position 240 [328]. Subjects carrying this polymorphism do not eral monocytes with an intensity of 17 ± 5 E0 ABC [72]
CD3 CD45RA
Figure 1.12 Differential CD4 expression on T lymphocytes in a subject affected by HIV infection. CD3(+) CD4(dim+) lymphocytes (A, red) tend to display CD45RA(−),
CD62L(+) phenotype (B).
18
CD4 Antigen
CD4 CD4
Figure 1.13 CD4 antigen is expressed by monocytes (red) at a lower intensity than by T lymphocytes (blue) (A, B).
(Fig. 1.13). Such intensity is further reduced on the monocytes In a group of cases made up of 18 patients affected by T‐ALL,
of newborns [337] and traumatized patients [338]. the “single‐positive” CD4(+) CD8(−) phenotype has been
reported in 39% of cases, while the “double‐positive” CD4(+)
CD8(+) phenotype has been reported in 22% [341]. Contrary to
Diagnostic features what happens in the neoplastic diseases of mature T cells, in the
neoplastic diseases of T‐cell precursors the presence of the
CD4 in myelodysplastic and chronic myeloproliferative TCRγδ does not rule out CD4 expression [342].
diseases
CD4 has been demonstrated with FCM techniques on the surface CD4 in AML
of the granulocytes of a patient affected by myelodysplasia charac- Depending on the survey, the expression of CD4 has been
terized by the presence of translocation t(5;12); in this case, it was reported in 36–74% of the observed cases [94,96–98,100,343].
hypothesized that the breakage of chromosome 12 was able to According to some authors, CD4 expression is strongly indic-
upregulate the expression of the antigen, encoded by a gene in ative of a myeloid lineage [344] regardless of a monocytic com-
12p12 [339]. mitment [345], but for others CD4 expression is frequent in the
AML‐M4 and AML‐M5 forms [100,226], with a preference for
CD4 in neoplastic diseases of mast cells the most mature cases [96]. In a survey made up of 495 adult
In isolated cases of AMCL, CD4 has been reported on the patients, CD4 expression has been documented in 45.9% of the
neoplastic cells either by FCM [340] or by IHC [2444]. cases, and in 37.4% of AML‐M1, 33.7% of AML‐M2, 35.4% of
AML‐M3, 65% of AML‐M4, 78.3% of AML‐M5, and 55.6% of
CD4 in neoplastic diseases of B‐cell precursors AML‐M6 [343]. According to some authors, the absence of CD4
As a rule, the expression of CD4 is missing in the neoplastic dis- characterizes the pediatric AML‐M2 with translocation
eases of B‐cell precursors, but it has been reported in some isolated t(8;21) [94], while other authors report that in a survey of 59
cases [86,87], where it seems related to a worse prognosis [88]. pediatric cases, CD4 was regularly co‐expressed in all the six
observed cases [100]. It is interesting to note that in the study of
CD4 in neoplastic diseases of T‐cell precursors Abdelhaleem and co‐workers, CD4 was co‐expressed in all the
On the blasts of the neoplastic diseases of T‐cell precursors, CD4 AML‐M7 cases [100]; the expression of CD4 in this FAB sub-
can be expressed alone or together with CD8 on the forms derived type has been reported in another case [343]. In an isolated case
from the common thymocytes. of monoblastic leukemia, CD4 was the only antigen found posi-
The isolated expression of CD4 suggests a disease stemming tive in the absence of myeloid and monocytic lineage‐specific
from an immature single‐positive precursor characterized by a markers [346].
CD1a(+) CD4(+) CD8(−) phenotype and situated immediately The presence of CD4 on the blasts of AML correlates to an
before the stage of double‐positive (DP) CD4(+) CD8(+) com- increased risk of extramedullary disease (granulocytic sarcoma,
mon thymocyte. and cutaneous, gingival, and meningeal involvement) [108], to
In a pediatric group of more than 100 cases of T‐ALL, CD4 anomalies of chromosome 11 [343], and to the pericentric
has been detected in 53% of the patients [4565]. inversion of chromosome 16 [343].
19
Antigens
CD4 has been demonstrated by IHC in an isolated case • in most cases of the so‐called “indolent T‐cell lymphoprolifera-
of myeloid sarcoma (MS) [347], and in some cases of tive disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (indolent GI
M/NK-AL [348], a clinical entity not recognized by the 2017 T‐LPD)” [384,385]
WHO classification [235]. • in a subgroup of cases of T‐LGL [386–389].
The so‐called Lennert lymphoma, described by Lennert and
CD4 in the BPDCN Mestdagh in 1968 [390] and also known as lymphoepithelioid
CD4 expression, together with the expression of CD56 and lymphoma (LHL), is considered by the 2017 WHO classifica-
CD123 and the absence of other lineage‐specific markers, consti- tion as the only remaining morphological variant of
tutes the characteristic phenotype of the BPDCN (aka PTCLnos [391]. Lennert lymphoma is reported by some authors
PDCL) [111,349–353]. Nonetheless, a CD4(−) case has been as a CD4(+)neoplasm [392], while according to others its cells
reported characterized by solitary skin involvement [354]. would express CD8 [393,394]. In comparison to CD8(+) cases,
LHL CD4(+) cases seem fare better from a prognostic point of
view [382].
CD4 in neoplastic diseases of mature B cells CD4 is seldom expressed on the cells of extranodal lympho-
CD4 expression is usually missing in neoplastic diseases of mature
mas [395], and as a rule is always missing on the cells of lympho-
B cells, but it has been reported with immunohistochemical
mas with TCRγδ, with only two exceptions reported so
techniques in most of the cases belonging to a rare variety of
far [396,397].
DLBCL, named ALK(+) large B‐cell lymphoma (ALK(+)
In accordance with the fact that neoplastic diseases of mature
LBCL) [355–357].
T cells very often display an abnormal T‐related antigen expres-
CD4 expression has also been reported in sporadic cases of
sion, CD4 may be missing or display an abnormally low or high
DLBCLnos [118,119,358], DLBCL with primary splenic
expression [398]; this behavior is frequently found in
onset [359], DLBCL associated with pyothorax (PAL) [121],
SS [123,126], but it has also been reported in AITL [378] and in
HCL [360], MM [122,241,361], PBL [117,361], B‐CLL [362],
PTCLnos [123].
and BL with plasmacytoid differentiation arising in a subject
As for the neoplastic diseases of mature NK cells, CD4 has
with HIV infection [363].
been reported in isolated cases of extranodal NK/T lymphoma
CD4 has been reported in two very similar cases of trans-
(ENKTL) “nasal‐type” [399], and in a case of ANKL [400].
formed FCL, which lost B‐cell antigens and expressed aber-
PTCLnos can be subdivided in two groups depending on the
rantly CD30 as well [364].
expression of either GATA3 or TBX21; different prognosis but
no difference in CD4 or CD8 expression was found between the
CD4 in neoplastic diseases of mature T and NK cells groups [401].
In the neoplastic diseases of mature T cells CD4 is generally
expressed: CD4 in Hodgkin lymphomas
• in most cases of T‐PLL [581] CD4 has been demonstrated by IHC in the HRS cells of isolated
• in most cases of ATLL [365,366,4167] cases of CHL, but in most instances, its expression has been
• in most cases of SS [126,367–369] and MF [370] judged as aberrant [4625–4627].
• in virtually all cases of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), variants
A and B, and in most cases of LyP variant C [371] CD4 in neoplasms of histiocytes and dendritic cells
• in most cases of primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lym- CD4 has been demonstrated with immunohistochemical tech-
phoma (pcALCL) [372] niques on the cells of LCH [19], HS, often referred in the past as
• in virtually all cases of primary cutaneous lymphoma of T true histiocytic lymphoma (THL) [402,403], and in isolated cases
medium/small CD4(+) T cells (PCSM‐TCL) of tumor of the indeterminate dendritic cells (IDCT), a solid neo-
• in most cases of breast implant‐associated anaplastic large cell plasm of the dendritic cells [53]. CD4 has been demonstrated
lymphoma (biaALCL) [373] with immunohistochemical techniques in an isolated case of
• in most cases of ALCL [374,375], with predilection for the FDCS [404].
ALK(+) cases [376]
• in most cases of AITL [124,377–379] and other follicular T‐ CD4 in other pathological conditions
cell‐derived lymphomas [380] Together with CD8, CD4 has also been reported in the cells of the
• in most cases of (mostly nodal) PTCLnos [45,123,124, 381, so called iT‐LBP [55], an entity not recognized by the 2017 WHO
382], with preference for the GATA3 subtype [383] classification.
20
CD5 Antigen
CD5 Antigen
CD5 CD5
Figure 1.14 γδ(+) T lymphocytes (red) tend to express CD5 at a lower intensity than αβ(+) T lymphocytes (A, B).
21
Antigens
A decreased expression of CD5 on CD8(+) lymphocytes has including B‐CLL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), the second
been also reported in EBV‐associated [494–496] and in familial comprising CD5(−) diseases and including virtually all the
hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHLH) with perforin remaining forms. Of course, this distinction only has didactic
gene mutations [497]. value and there are many important exceptions. Moreover, it is
According to some authors [421], but not to others [422], possible that new CD5(+) clinical entities exist, not yet recog-
cryopreservation decreases the antigen expression. nized as such by current classifications, as perhaps in the case of
CD5(+) DLBCL with primary splenic onset.
From an operative point of view, a percentage of CD5(+) B
Diagnostic features cells greater than 35% has been considered indicative for B‐cell
lymphoma in the analysis of a lymph node biopsy without
CD5 in myelodysplastic and chronic myeloproliferative demonstrable light chain restriction [435].
diseases
CD5 is frequently expressed on the blasts of MDS [423]. Traditionally CD5(+) diseases
As mentioned above, CD5 expression is a typical trait of B‐CLL
CD5 in neoplastic diseases of B‐cell precursors and MCL [436–439]. In comparison with B‐CLL, the neoplastic
As a rule, CD5 is not expressed in the globally considered lymphocytes of MCL express CD5 at a higher intensity; this point
neoplastic diseases of B‐cell precursors [86], even if it has been has been confirmed by either FCM [440] or IHC [441].
reported sporadically in isolated cases [88,424–429], where it is Nevertheless, it must not be forgotten that rare cases of CD5(−)
associated with a particularly aggressive behavior [430]. MCL have been reported [439,442,443]; moreover, a case of
The expression of CD5 has been detected in just under half of CD5(+) MCL is known which relapsed as CD5(−) [444], and a
the cases with mutated MEF2D, and is associated with a poor specular case also which was CD5(−) at the onset but relapsed as
prognosis; CD5 has been detected in half cases of CD10(+) with CD5(+) [445].
KMT2A‐MLLT3 translocation, but not in cases with the same CD5 is expressed either by “typical” or “atypical” B‐CLL [446];
genetic anomaly without CD10 expression [4565]. in B‐CLL its increased expression is correlated with deletion of
the long arm of chromosome 13 [447]. CD5 is also expressed on
CD5 in neoplastic diseases of T‐cell precursors the elements of B‐CLL in plasmacytoid transformation [448]; in
CD5 is generally expressed in neoplastic diseases of T‐cell precur- these cases, CD5 expression can constitute a useful element in
sors [341], but it can be missing in the most immature forms, also the differential diagnosis with LPL [449].
known as “early T,” “pro/pre‐T,” or “T‐stem cell leukemias” [89]. In some surveys B‐PLL expresses CD5 in 50–70% of the
This is in agreement with the EGIL classification of T lymphoblas- cases [450–452], but in others it is consistently negative for the
tic leukemias, according to which CD5 is typically present in the T antigen [440]; this discrepancy can probably be explained either
II, T III and T IV forms, but missing in the most immature, T I [34]. by the fact that in some surveys the cases derived from a pre‐
In a pediatric group of more than 100 cases of T‐ALL, CD5 existing B‐CLL are merged together with cases arising “de novo”
has been detected in 91% of the patients [4565]. or by the fact that leukemized MCL can sometimes present pro-
In ETP‐ALL the CD5 antigen should be missing; if present, it lymphocytoid morphology, consequently being confused with
should be expressed only in a subset of cells, and/or with an MFI B‐PLL [453].
at least 1 log dimmer than normal mature T cells [431,432].
Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that a negative or very Traditionally CD5(−) diseases
dim expression of CD5 can be documented also in non‐ETP T‐ Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), HCL, LPL, splenic diffuse red
ALL with TCRγδ expression [431]. pulp lymphoma (SDRPL), FCL, and plasma cell neoplasms (mon-
oclonal gammopathy of undefined significance (MGUS), MM,
CD5 in AML plasma cell leukemia (PCL)) are traditionally considered negative
In the AML CD5 has been reported in less than 10% of cases [226]; for the expression of CD5.
CD5 expression seems related to the AML‐M5a [96] and AML‐ Nevertheless, it must not be forgotten that CD5 has been
M0 subtypes [433]; in the AML‐M0 subtype, CD5 seems to cor- reported in 25% of cases of SMZL [455], in 8% of cases of nodal
relate with hypertriploid chromosome number [433]. marginal zone lymphoma (NMZL) [456], in isolated cases of
The expression of CD5 has been reported in a case of acute either mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) or non‐
basophilic leukemia (ABL) arisen in a subject affected by MALT extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (EMZL) [457–
MDS [434]. 462], in rare cases of either primary cutaneous [463] or
nodal [464–467] FCL and in rare cases of HCL [360,468–471].
CD5 in neoplastic diseases of mature B cells CD5 has been demonstrated on lymphocytes [472–475] and
The presence of CD5 divides the neoplastic diseases of mature B plasma cells [472] in rare cases of LPL, and on neoplastic plasma
cells into two groups, the first made up of CD5(+) diseases cells in a case of MCL in plasmacytic transformation [476].
22
CD5 Antigen
When present in usually negative lymphomas, CD5 carries intravascular large B‐cell lymphoma (IVBCL) [481], where it
an unfavorable prognostic significance [115], especially in seems devoid of prognostic significance [482]; CD5 expression
MALT type lymphomas, where it is correlated with leukemiza- has been reported in a case of T‐cell‐rich large B‐cell lymphoma
tion and dissemination to bone marrow and other sites [457,459]. (TCRBCL) [483], in some cases of BL in leukemic phase [484],
The demonstration of CD5 on HCL cells is of some practical and in a subset of cases of large B‐cell lymphoma with IRF4
importance because the antigen expression is related to resist- rearrangement [485].
ance to α‐interferon [470], but to sensitivity to cladribine (2‐
chloro‐2′‐deoxyadenosine, 2‐CdA) [471]. It is noteworthy that CD5 in neoplastic diseases of mature T and NK cells
in a case reported by Usha and collaborators, CD5 was expressed CD5 is generally expressed on the cells of the neoplastic diseases
by hairy cells in bone marrow, but not by hairy cells in periph- of mature T cells, but it can also be missing or expressed in an
eral blood [471]. aberrant way [398].
An irregular expression of CD5 has been sporadically
Sporadically CD5(+) diseases reported in ATLL [486], AITL [124], and PTCLnos [45,123,124],
Apart from Richter syndrome, in which it is expected [477], CD5 and it is frequently found in T‐LGL with either
has been reported either by FCM or IHC in 10% of cases of TCRαβ [128,129,487] or TCRγδ [488] (Fig. 1.15).
DLBCL [478,479]. CD5 is missing in most TCRγδ(+) T‐cell lymphomas, such as
CD5(+) DLBCL probably constitutes a separate entity not yet primary cutaneous TCRγδ(+) T‐cell lymphoma (PCGD‐
recognized as such and is characterized by poor prognosis and TCL) [283,488,489] and other mucocutaneous [488,490] or
frequent extranodal presentation [3857,3855]. nodal [491] lymphomas.
CD5 expression has been reported in a case of primary cuta- Although reported in a subset of normal NK cells, CD5 is not
neous DLBCL “leg type” [480], and with high frequency in expressed in the neoplastic diseases of mature NK cells [203].
Figure 1.15 Aberrantly low CD5 expression on neoplastic CD3(+) cells (red) in 6 cases of T‐LGL (A–F).
23
Antigens
CD7 Antigen
CD7 is a 40 kD glycoprotein encoded by a gene situated on chro- The staining of peripheral normal lymphocytes with an anti‐CD7
mosome 17 [4552]. In T and NK cells CD7 plays an important MoAb generates a positive histogram characterized by a rather
role in the activation and regulation of cytokine production [498]; heterogeneous distribution, with a channel peak representing the
among other activities, CD7 binds Galectin and is necessary for presence of 28 ± 7 E03 ABC [72].
Galectin‐mediated apoptosis [499]. On mature T lymphocytes, CD7 intensity of expression seems
CD7 is a T linage‐associated antigen but is devoid of a true T to be inversely proportional to their degree of immunological
lineage specificity [500]. It is the first T‐associated antigen to competence, inasmuch as it has been demonstrated that CD7(+)
appear during the maturation of T lymphocytes [58,155] but is CD45RA(+) T lymphocytes expressed CD7 with an intensity of
physiologically missing in important subsets of T lymphocytes 27 ± 5 E03 ABC, while CD7(+) CD45R0(+) T lymphocytes
in peripheral blood [501] and in epidermis [502]. express CD7 with an intensity of 14 ± 3 E03 ABC [72].
The absent or reduced expression of CD7 seems to corre- CD3(−) NK lymphocytes expressed CD7 more intensely than
late with activation; CD3(+) CD7(−) cells increase with any other T subset [74] and can downregulate it after
age [503], and can be increased in the peripheral blood of activation [64].
patients with conditions characterized by acute and chronic
immune system activation, such as primary EBV infec-
tion [504], rheumatoid arthritis [505], allogeneic transplanta- Diagnostic features
tion [506], and HIV infection [501,507]. Likewise, expanded
populations of CD3(+) CD7(−) cells can be found in the skin CD7 in myelodysplastic and chronic myeloproliferative
of patients affected by HIV infection [508], eosinophilic cel- diseases
lulitis (Wells syndrome) [509], and other inflammatory skin Together with CD117, CD7 is preferentially expressed on the
diseases [510]. blasts of high‐risk MDS, while the blasts of low‐risk cases tend to
CD7 is expressed by 80–90% of CD3(−) NK cells [63], and it express CD10 and CD15, which are related to more mature stages
has been demonstrated in a subset of bone marrow myeloid pre- of myeloid differentiation [514].
cursors [510,511], in the PDCs [146], and in a subset of CD19(+) The bone marrow blasts of patients affected by CML in
lymphoid precursors in fetal [512] and pediatric bone chronic phase can express CD7, whose expression on more than
marrow [513]. 20% of CD34(+) blasts is related to progression of the
24
CD7 Antigen
disease [515]. Experiments of gene expression corroborate this lower incidence of complete remission [109], especially in cases
point, inasmuch as a low expression of the gene coding for CD7, characterized by the co‐expression of CD14 [93].
together with a high expression of the gene coding for protein- CD7 on AML blasts correlates with alterations of chromosome
ase 3, can predict a longer global survival [516]. 5 [527], and with the expression of the thrombopoietin (TPO)
Likewise, the CD34(+) blasts of CML‐BC can co‐express receptor [528]. In some cases of AML, molecular studies have
CD7 in an elevated percentage of cases [517]. demonstrated a correlation between CD7 expression and the
Moreover, CD7 has been reported in about 10% of cases of silencing of CEBPA and NOTCH1 genes [529], or the presence of
CMML [80], and on the blasts of TAM, also known as TMPD, Fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3/
occurring in newborns affected by Down syndrome [209]. ITD) [530]. It is interesting to observe that in AML‐M2, CD7
Adding CD7 to the antigens detected by the so‐called “Ogata seems mutually exclusive with translocation t(8;21) [100,101].
score” improves the sensitivity of the procedure [518]. CD7 has been reported in some cases of BPDCN, where it corre-
lates positively with the expression of BDCA‐2 and negatively
CD7 in neoplastic diseases of B‐cell precursors with the presence of TdT, defining a subset of cases thought to
As a rule, CD7 is missing in the neoplastic diseases of B‐cell pre- stem from a more mature precursor [531].
cursors, even if it has been reported in isolated cases [86,87,519], The co‐existence of CD7 and myeloid antigens correlated
where it is associated to a worse prognosis [88]. both to the early and advanced stages of myeloid maturation is
Nonetheless, the expression of CD7 has been detected in just frequently detected in AML with biallelic mutations of the
more half of the cases of B‐ALL with KMT2A‐MLLT3 CEBPA gene [532,533].
translocation [4565].
CD7 in neoplastic diseases of mature B cells
CD7 in neoplastic diseases of T‐cell precursors As a rule, CD7 is missing in the neoplastic diseases of mature B
As a rule, CD7 is always positive on the blasts of neoplastic dis- cells, but it has sporadically been reported in a case of B‐CLL
eases of T‐cell precursors [34,341,4565], and it is expressed at an which was also CD4(+) [362], in a case of diffuse blastoid B‐cell
elevated intensity [519]; in this regard, CD7 expression can be lymphoma, a histological variant of t(14;18)‐negative FCL [534],
exploited to define an immunological gate able to restrict the in some cases of DLBCL [117,119,120], in a case of PBL [535], in
cytometric analysis to pathological cells only [520]. a case of DLBCL associated with chronic inflammation (also
known as PAL) [536], and in two cases of PEL [537,538].
CD7 in AML
Depending on the survey, the expression of CD7 has been CD7 in neoplastic diseases of mature T and NK cells
reported in 12–42% of the observed cases, with particular predi- In neoplastic diseases of mature T cells, CD7 can be expressed in
lection for the M0, M1, and M2 subtypes [93–95, 97, 100, 101, different ways. In some diseases CD7 is missing, in others it is
226, 521, 522], but it has also been reported in sporadic cases of constantly and strongly expressed, in others it is generally
AML‐M4 and M5 [80,523], with a particular predilection for the expressed but sometimes is missing or expressed in an aberrant
most immature monoblastic cases [93]. way.
CD7 expression is rarely reported in the AML‐M3 of the CD7 is missing in MF [366,370], in SS [367,369], in
adult [524] and is virtually missing in the AML‐M3 of child- AITL [124,275,378, 379], and in mucocutaneous γδ T‐cell lym-
hood [94,100]. In a group of 59 cases of pediatric AML, CD7 phomas [488], renamed as PCGD‐TCL by the 2017 WHO
was co‐expressed with CD4 in all cases of AML‐M7 [100]. In classification [539].
CD7(+) AML, CD7 is expressed at an intensity lower than T‐ In ATLL, CD7 can be missing or dimly expressed [366,540],
ALL and is brighter in AML‐M0 than in other FAB and it has been reported that a bivariate analysis carried out for
subtypes [519]. CD3 and CD7 can allow the staging of the disease, distinguish-
According to some authors, the co‐expression of CD7 and ing asymptomatic HTLV‐I carriers and patients with smolder-
CD56 defines a subgroup of AML‐M0, characterized by more ing, chronic and acute disease on the basis of the quantitation of
frequent extramedullary involvement, fewer circulating leuke- three subsets of cells, i.e. CD7(−) CD3(±), CD7(±) CD3(±), and
mic blasts, less anemia, and higher platelet counts than usually CD7(+) CD3(+) [271].
expected in AML‐M0 [525]. This group of cases shows features CD7 is usually expressed in T‐PLL [541], but it can also be
very similar to the so‐called M/NK‐AL [348], a clinical entity absent [272], particularly in the so‐called small cell vari-
not recognized by the 2017 WHO classification [235], which has ant [542]. In PTCLnos, an aberrant expression of the antigen
also been reported to express CD7 [205]. has been reported in 45–80% of the observed cases, depending
According to some authors [108,521] but not others [526], on the survey [45,123,124].
the presence of CD7 on AML blasts correlates with an increased Moreover, an aberrant expression of the antigen has been
risk of extramedullary disease (granulocytic sarcoma, and cuta- reported in some cases of T‐LGL [128,388,487], in a case of
neous, gingival, and meningeal involvement) [108], and with a hepatosplenic αβ T‐cell lymphoma (HSTCL) [489], and in
25
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21, three days prior to discontinuance, there were only 34,271
female applicants for out-of-work donations.[271] Yet on the whole,
even though there was for a few months an alarming amount of
unemployment among women workers, officials held that British
industry adjusted itself to peace more quickly than it had to war. A
long list of factories which had changed from war to peace products,
for instance from airplanes to furniture and from fuses to electric
equipment, was given as early as February. Government control of
raw materials was used to aid the transition, and priority was given to
certain essentials in using the productive capacity set free from war
work.
The independence among women workers which had developed
during the war was reflected in their attitude during the period of
great unemployment. In the similar crisis at the beginning of the war
they had been inarticulate. But on February 15, 1919, their
organizations arranged a meeting in Albert Hall, London, attended by
women representing nearly every trade, at which women speakers
dwelt on the folly of unemployment while the country was in need of
all kinds of manufactured articles. Resolutions were passed giving
the three points of the “Women’s Charter”—“the right to work, the
right to live and the right to leisure.” It was held that all workers by
hand or brain should unite, and that work should be provided for the
unemployed. An adequate living wage, an eight hour day and a forty
hour week were advocated as standards for working conditions. A
deputation was organized to take the resolutions to the Prime
Minister, but apparently he did not reply to them.[272]
The measures actually adopted by the government show many
traces of the Civil War Workers Committee recommendations,
though, hastily put in force as they were, they were much less
complete, and in some cases widely different. The arrangements
made but little distinction between men and women workers. The
whole process of “demobilizing” war workers was put in charge of a
“controller general” responsible to the Ministry of Labor, who
controlled the employment exchanges, a new “Appointments
Branch” for “men of office rank” and the labor departments of the
Ministry of Munitions, the Admiralty and the War Office. The
employment exchanges were made the center for the transfer of war
workers. By the day after the armistice the recall of employment
exchange officials from the army had been arranged. Staff and
premises were enlarged and additional local advisory committees
formed. Various efforts were made to provide raw materials and to
hasten the change to peace time work by munition manufacturers.
Instructions to manufacturers asked them to avoid an immediate
general discharge of workers, to abolish all overtime and piece work
at once, and to retain as many workers as possible on short time. If
wages under this plan fell below certain levels, which were for
women 25s. ($6.00) a week, the government agreed to make up the
difference. In case of actual discharge, a week’s notice or a week’s
pay was to be given, and free railway passes home or to new work
places were provided. “The loyal and cordial cooperation of all
employers” in carrying out the directions was invited, but nothing is
at hand to show to what extent they were observed or how far they
lessened unemployment. It will be noted that men and women
workers were treated practically alike under this scheme. The
“Waacs” and other women auxiliaries of the army and navy were
demobilized under the same conditions as all members of the
military forces, receiving, besides certain gratuities, a civilian outfit,
four weeks’ pay and a railway pass.
Special provision for unemployed women through training
courses was outlined in a pamphlet issued by the government in the
spring of 1919.[273] It was stated that a large number of typical
women’s trades, such as clothing, textiles, food manufacture and
laundry work, would be covered by short training courses of from
one to six months’ duration, usually three months. In addition a
special course in housekeeping would be offered. The courses might
be given in any suitable place, such as a factory, as well as in trade
schools and the government instructional factories formerly used for
training munition workers. Approved students were to receive 15s. to
25s. ($3.50-$6.00) a week while taking the course, with traveling
fares if necessary, and an additional 10s. ($2.40) weekly if obliged to
live away from home.
When the government adopted for immediate action the plans for
relieving unemployment previously outlined it also put forward
certain other schemes for decreasing unemployment during the later
reconstruction period, which included the stimulation of orders and
contracts, public and private, an increase in public works and
improvements and the extension of contributory unemployment
insurance to practically all workers.
The chief reliance of the government in dealing with
unemployment after the armistice was not a contributory insurance
plan, but a system of unemployment “donations.” Before the war
contributory unemployment insurance, paying 7s. ($1.68) a week to
unemployed workers for fifteen weeks a year from a fund created
through small weekly contributions for employers, employes and the
government, covered 2,200,000 workers in six trades, almost all of
whom were males. In 1916 the law was extended for a period of
from three to five years after the end of the war to include most of
the chief war industries with an additional 1,500,000 employes,
including many women. But by an emergency order made within a
few weeks after the armistice, the contributory insurance law was
temporarily superseded by a scheme of “donations” applying also to
all war workers not previously covered and all ex-soldiers and
sailors. Free policies were issued, at first good in the case of civilians
for six months beginning November 25, 1918, and in the case of
soldiers, for twelve months from the date of demobilization. The
policies provided their holders with donations while unemployed for
thirteen weeks if civilians and twenty-six weeks if soldiers. The
original scale was 20s. ($4.80) weekly for women workers, which
was raised after a few weeks to 25s. ($6.00). Additional payments
were made for dependent children, amounting to 6s. ($1.44) weekly
for the first and 3s. (72 cents) for each succeeding child. A later
amendment permitted payments to civilians for an additional thirteen
weeks at a reduced rate, which was, for women, 15s. ($3.60) weekly.
Later, in May, 1919, when according to the terms of the original order
all donation policies held by civilians would have expired, they were
renewed for an additional six months. Except for ex-service men and
women, the system was finally discontinued on November 25, 1919.
At this date 137,000 civilians were receiving donations, of whom
29,000 were females. All donations were paid through the
employment exchanges and could be stopped if the recipients
refused “to accept suitable employment.”
Undoubtedly the system of unemployment donations prevented
much suffering among thousands of wage earners to whom the
country was indebted for their war work. But as a whole its operation
can not be said to have been satisfactory, particularly among women
employes. An entire session of the House of Commons was devoted
mainly to criticisms of the system and its defence by the Minister of
Labor. Complaints of “slackers” who were taking a vacation at the
taxpayers’ expense were met by charges that women were being
forced to take places at sweated wages by refusals to pay the
unemployment donations. In the five months ending April 25, 1919,
claims for donations numbering 141,770 were disallowed, in 100,442
of which cases appeals to the referees were made. Only 27,536 of
the appealed claims were finally allowed, 81 per cent of the women’s
claims being denied, about half of them on the ground of “refusal to
accept suitable employment.”[274]
The Ministry of Labor, which administered the unemployment
donations, admitted that an unsatisfied demand for women workers
existed in domestic service, laundries, the needle work trades and in
some districts in the textile industry at the same time that half a
million women were out of work. But the places open were either
very highly skilled or grossly underpaid and unattractive. For one firm
which needed 5,000 workers, the employment exchanges could find
only fifty women who seemed qualified, of whom the firm hired only
fifteen.
The association of laundrymen even appealed to the government
to bring pressure to bear on the women to accept work, but
apparently no action was taken in answer to the demand. The
women workers themselves said that when the government had
raised the rate of unemployment donations from 20s. to 25s. weekly
on the ground that a single woman could not live on less, they could
not be expected to enter laundries at 18s. ($4.32) a week.
Other less prominent difficulties of adjustment were the
reluctance of soldiers’ wives to enter new kinds of work when they
would retire from industry in a few months, and the unwillingness of
women in general to go from the comparatively high wages of
munitions to the low wages of learners and to factories lacking the
conveniences of the new munitions plants.
Criticism of the system was so widespread that an official
investigating committee was formed which issued two reports.[275]
The committee concluded that there had been no widespread fraud,
though under the plan as first put in operation it was possible legally
for persons who were not genuinely seeking work to abuse the
scheme. The committee felt, however, that the emergency had been
great and that if the later safeguards had been introduced in the
beginning the whole system might have broken down. They
recommended, among other points, swifter prosecution of fraud, a
contributory rather than a noncontributory plan, and discontinuance
of allowances based on the number of dependents. They felt that
applicants must not expect exactly the same sort of work or wage
rates that they had had during the war, and that donations should be
stopped if similar work was refused.
Appendix B
The following table indicates some of the processes formerly reserved for men on which the factory
inspectors found women employed by the end of 1915:
INDUSTRY PROCESSES
Linoleum Attending cork grinding and embossing machines,
machine printing, attending stove, trimming
and packing.
Woodworking—
Brush making Fibre dressers, brush makers and on boring
machinery.
Furniture Light upholstery, cramping, dowelling,
glueing, fret-work, carving by hand or
machine, staining and polishing.
Saw mills On planing, moulding, sand-papering, boring,
mortising, dovetailing, tenoning, turning and
nailing machines. Taking off from circular
saws; box making, printing and painting.
Cooperage Barrel making machines.
Paper mills In rag grinding and attending to beating and
breaking machines, and to coating machines,
calenders and in certain preparations and
finishing and warehouse processes.
Printing Machine feeding (on platen machines and
INDUSTRY PROCESSES
on guillotines) and as linotype operators.
Wire rope On stranding and spinning machines.
Chemical works Attending at crystallising tanks and for
yard work.
Soap As soap millers and in general work.
Paint At roller mills, filling tins and kegs,
labeling and packing.
Oil and cake mills Trucking, feeding and drawing off from chutes,
attending to presses.
Flour mills Trucking.
Bread and biscuits Attending to dough-breaks, biscuit machines,
and at the ovens assisting bakers.
Tobacco Leaf cutting, cigarette making, soldering,
trucking and warehouse work.
Rubber At washing machines, grinding mills, dough
rolls, solutioning, motor tube making.
Malting Spreading and general work.
Breweries Cask washing, tun-room work, beer bottling
and bottle washing.
Distilleries In the mill and yeast houses.
Cement Attending weighing machines, trucking.
Foundries Core making, moulding.
Tanning and currying At the pits, in finishing and drying, and in
oiling, setting up, buffing and staining.
Woolen mills Beaming and overlooking, attending drying
machines, carding, pattern weaving.
Jute mills On softening machines, dressing yarn,
calendering.
Cotton mills In blowing room on spinning mules, beaming,
twisting and drawing, and in warehouse.
Hosiery Folding and warehouse work.
Lace Threading.
Print, bleach and Beetling, assisting printers at machines,
dye works warehouse processes.
Appendix C
The following tables from the second report of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science bring out in detail, first, the gradual disappearance of
unemployment and short time and the increase of women’s numbers in
industry from September, 1914, to April, 1916; second, the changes in
numbers of women in the various occupations, both industrial and nonindustrial
in December, 1915, and April, 1916, compared with July, 1914, and, third,
similar details as to the number of women who were undertaking “men’s work.”