Characterization of Reed-Sternberg cells with granulocyte specific monoclonal antibody.

Monoclonal antibody Leu M1 represents a highly specific marker to locate granulocyte antigen in Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's disease. Except the L&H variants of reed-sternberg cells in lymphocyte predominance variety in which antigens are probably sialylated. All the cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were negative with this marker, because of absence of antigen. Therefore this specific marker characterizes granulocyte origin of reed-sternberg cells.