[Sinus lining cells:morphology, function and neoplasia].

Lymph node sinuses consist mainly of sinus lining cells with clear dendritic morphology. Enzyme cytochemical and immune phenotypical analysis classify sinus lining cells as an intermediate cell type linking monocyte/macrophage to follicular dendritic cells, which are accepted immune accessory cells to humoral immune response. Labeling studies indicate sinus lining cells to hematogenous and possible monocytogenous in origin. In functional term sinus lining cells bind and present soluble antigen as the first cell type following antigen pulse. In addition sinus lining cells bind carcinoma cells and may play a role in metastasis. Sinus lining cells give rise to a well defined entity of neoplasia which is proposed to be termed sinus lining cell reticulosarcoma. In this presentation a case report exemplifies such a new entity.