Immunohistochemical demonstration of cathepsin B in the macrophages of benign and malignant lymphoid tissues

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Abstract
Cathepsin B has been demonstrated by immunohistochemical means in the macrophages of palatine tonsils, reactive lymph nodes and in specimens of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Two cases of genuine histiocytic lymphoma showed strong staining for the enzyme in most cells. In Hodgkin's disease, many Reed–Sternberg cells and Hodgkin cells were positive. Branching and ‘tingible body’ macrophages (histiocytic reticulum cells. HRCs) were strongly positive in all of the specimens. In reactive lymph nodes, the sinus‐lining cells and intrasinusoidal macrophages were positive for cathepsin B. True dendritic reticulum cells (DRCs) appeared to be negative. Unlike muramidase (lysozyme), cathepsin B is not seen in neutrophil polymorph leucocytes.