CD22 expression on blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms and reactivity of anti‐CD22 antibodies to peripheral blood dendritic cells

We identified CD22 expression on a blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) neoplasm presenting as a leukemia in a child. CD22 expression, as determined by the antibody s‐HCL‐1, was also noted on the neoplastic cells from three additional patients with blastic pDC tumors identified at our institution. Subsequently we determined that peripheral blood pDCs react with the s‐HCL‐1 antibody demonstrating that normal pDCs express CD22. Evaluation of five additional anti‐CD22 antibodies indicated that staining of pDCs with these reagents was poor except for s‐HCL‐1. Therefore, the detection of CD22 on pDCs is best demonstrated with the use of this specific antibody clone. All anti‐CD22 antibodies stained conventional DCs. We also evaluated the reactivity of the anti‐CD22 antibodies with basophils and noted that the pattern of staining was similar to that seen with pDCs. The studies demonstrate that normal DCs and pDC neoplasms express CD22, and highlight clone specific differences in anti‐CD22 antibody reactivity patterns on pDCs and basophils. © 2009 Clinical Cytometry Society.