Immunophenotype of multinucleated and mononuclear cells in giant cell lesions of bone and soft tissue.

AIMS

To compare the antigenic phenotype of giant cells in giant cell lesions of bone and soft tissue with that of osteoclasts and macrophage polykaryons.

METHODS

Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded sections of 106 giant cell lesions, 19 granulomatous, and 14 osteoclast containing lesions were immuno-histochemically stained for leucocyte common antigen (LCA), CD68, and HLA-DR.

RESULTS

Osteoclasts and giant cells of giant cell tumour of bone and giant cell reparative granuloma could be distinguished by their generalised absence of HLA-DR reaction from macrophage polykaryons and giant cells in other giant cell lesions of bone and soft tissue. Staining for LCA, CD68, and HLA-DR was useful in distinguishing reactive histiocytic giant cells and osteoclasts from tumour giant cells.

CONCLUSIONS

A panel of macrophage associated antigens should be diagnostically useful in differentiating the histological nature of giant cells in various giant cell lesions of bone and soft tissue.