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Editorial
. 2010 Mar;95(3):359-64.
doi: 10.3324/haematol.2009.017251.

Pathophysiology of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

Marvin J Stone, Virginia Pascual
Editorial

Pathophysiology of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia

Marvin J Stone et al. Haematologica. 2010 Mar.
No abstract available

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The WM cell could arise from a “memory-like”, somatically mutated precursor that has lost classic memory markers such as CD27 due to shedding from the surface. Whether this memory precursor arises from a germinal center (single isotype memory B cell) or from a marginal zone-like, T-independent reaction (double isotype, IgM+ IgD+ B cell) remains to be determined, as both these cell types accumulate somatic mutations. Shedding of CD27 from the WM cell could have pathogenic implications. This molecule activates surrounding mast cells in the bone marrow to produce B cell activators and survival factors such as CD40L and APRIL that could drive the lymphoplasmacytoid differentiation of the WM clone. Some WM patients display decreased levels of IgA and IgG antibodies. Combined IgG and IgA deficiency could be an upstream event in WM, as these alterations can be found in relatives of WM patients. Whether this is due to a generalized defective switching process that sets the stage for malignant transformation of IgM-expressing clones remains to be elucidated. Revised and expanded from Stone et al.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Fundoscopic appearance of a patient with WM and mixed cryoglobulinemia. Note the marked retinal venous engorgement and “sausaging.” The white material at the edge of the veins may be cryoglobulin.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
(A) Serum at 4°C and 37°C on September 20, 2002. The specimen was collected on March 30, 1970. This mixed cryoglobulin is from the patient whose fundus is shown in Figure 2. (B) Temperature dependence of relative serum viscosity from a patient with macroglobulimemia and cryoglobulinemia. ○ =patient’s serum. ● =normal serum. Brackets indicate range of duplicate determinations. Bar indicates normal range (1.4–1.8) at 37°C.
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References

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