The immunohistochemical localizations of 53 monoclonal antibodies with specificities expressed in human lymphoid tissue were investigated on lymph node tissues from Macaca mulatta, M. speciosa, and M. fascicularis using immunoperoxidase techniques. Thirty antibodies showed comparative cross-reactivity. The micro-anatomic distribution of these antigens was closely homologous to that observed in man and antigen densities appeared to be similar. A useful monoclonal antibody panel for immunopathological investigations in macaques was, thereby, defined. Of several pan-T antibodies studied, only OKT11(CD2) showed cross-reactivity. A detailed analysis of the immunocyto-architecture of five rhesus lymph nodes was undertaken. Automated flow cytometry of M. mulatta and M. speciosa peripheral blood showed a broadly similar pattern to man.

Morphology and immunostaining of lymph nodes taken from rhesus monkeys and man are compared. The monkeys were inoculated with biologic materials known to transmit simian acquired immune deficiency syndrome (SAIDS) and the human biopsies were obtained from homosexual men with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The lymph nodes from monkey and man share common immunohistochemical features, ranging from exhuberant follicular hyperplasia to lymphocyte depletion stage. The follicular hyperplasia differed from reactive controls by the larger follicular size and disorganization within the follicular centers as well as an increase in the number of cells with the T suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype. The lymphocyte depletion stage showed a loss of reactive follicles and small T lymphocytes with a predominance of mature monocytes/macrophages. Most monkeys and humans with the lymphocyte depletion morphology fulfilled the case definitions for AIDS and SAIDS while those with follicular hyperplasia usually had 'prodromal' findings. The simian agent is associated with alterations in lymph node morphology and immunostaining which parallel the changes seen in spontaneous human cases supporting a similar pathogenesis for AIDS and SAIDS.