CD30 and Epstein-Barr virus RNA expression in sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of spleen

Virchows Arch. 2007 Jul;451(1):73-9. doi: 10.1007/s00428-007-0422-7. Epub 2007 May 10.

Abstract

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) is a splenic lesion composed of angiomatoid/vascular nodules surrounded by hyalinized/sclerotic stroma, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and inflammatory cells. The endothelium within the nodules has a phenotype resembling splenic sinusoids, capillaries, and small veins. Martel et al. (Am J Surg Pathol 28:1268-1279, 2004) suggested that SANT may represent the final pathway of a variety of splenic lesions including inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has a role in the genesis of some splenic IPTs, but its presence in SANT has not been investigated. Six cases of SANT are reported. All were stained for CD31, CD34, CD8, CD68, smooth muscle actin, muscle-specific actin, and CD30 and were tested for EBV by in situ hybridization (EBER). All cases showed angiomatoid nodules with complex expression of CD31, CD34, and CD8, with focal CD68. Expression of CD30 by endothelial cells was also seen. One case had small diffuse areas lacking nodules resembling an IPT and was positive for EBV. The inflammatory cells and the normal spleen were negative for CD30 and EBER. In conclusion, SANT shows upregulation of CD30 with respect to normal spleen. The presence of EBV in the stromal cells of a case supports the notion that a subset of SANT may be related to IPT.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angiomatosis / pathology*
  • Angiomatosis / virology
  • Female
  • Granuloma, Plasma Cell / pathology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Ki-1 Antigen / analysis*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Viral / analysis*
  • Sclerosis
  • Spleen / chemistry
  • Spleen / pathology*
  • Spleen / virology
  • Splenic Diseases / pathology*
  • Splenic Diseases / virology

Substances

  • Ki-1 Antigen
  • RNA, Viral