CD34‐positive fibroblasts in Reinke's edema

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: To elucidate whether and to what extent CD341 fibroblasts (so-called CD341 fibrocytes, CD341 dendritic cells, and CD341 stromal cells) occur in normal human vocal folds and in Reinke's edema.Study Design: Histological study. Methods: Conventional, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural procedures were performed in histological blocks of 18 selected cases of Reinke's edema (with typical findings including acellular edematous spaces in the subepithelial connective tissue of vocal folds, and disarrangement of elastic, collagen, and reticular fibers). For control purposes, four normal vocal folds were analyzed.Results: In normal vocal folds, most stromal cells were spindle-shaped CD341 fibroblasts. In Reinke's edema, increased density and changes in the morphology and size of this subpopulation of fibroblasts were demonstrated in the connective tissue surrounding the edematous spaces, particularly in their borders, where together with some macrophages they formed boundaries, mimicking the walls of distended lymphatic vessels when conventional stains were used. These activated CD341 fibroblasts acquired a dendritic morphology (with long, moniliform, often bifurcated, overlapping multipolar processes), and their cytoplasmic organelles were increased in number. In addition to CD34, they expressed vimentin, CD10 and CD99, but no a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), CD31, CD117, CD68, h-caldesmon, desmin, or S-100 protein.Conclusions: CD341 fibroblasts are a major cell component in the stroma of vocal folds in Reinke's edema, and their activation, with increased density and morphologic changes around the edematous spaces, occurs without immunophenotypic transformation toward myofibroblasts (no expression of a-SMA). The mechanisms by which these cells act in Reinke's edema require further study.

Proliferation of Interstitial Cells in the Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis and the Preventive Effect of Imatinib

“…Hyperplasia of CD34-immunoreactive ICs has been previously described being associated with inflammation and tumoral processes and in myxoid and edematous lesions [21–23]. In many of these cases, IC proliferation is accompanied by acquisition of a voluminous nucleus and cytoplasm, with wider and shorter prolongations [22, 24]. Together these changes suggest IC activation by inflammation.…”

Cd34+ Stromal Cells/Telocytes in Normal and Pathological Skin

“…These voluminous cells of increased somatic size show some retracted processes and resemble modified CD34+SCs/TCs in the plexiform type of neurofibroma, in which myxoid deposits can be prominent [ 32 ]. Myxoid lagoons are partially or totally covered by CD34+SCs/TCs ( Figure 5 A–C), as occurs around spaces with abundant extracellular glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronic acid) [ 63 ].…”

Are Vocal Alterations Caused by Smoking in Reinke's Edema in Women Entirely Reversible After Microsurgery and Smoking Cessation?

“…In Reinke's edema, the production of collagen fibers would be altered as a result of toxic chemical mediators found in cigarettes. Días-Flores et al, 20 in a study on immunohistochemistry, observed an increase in density and morphological abnormalities in the population of fibroblasts in the lamina propria of Reinke's edema. These cells are arranged in a myxoid stroma, along with macrophages, and present positive immunoexpression for vimentin, CD34, and CD10, markers for hematopoietic cells, and, to a lesser extent, CD99, marker of mesenchymal tumors.…”