Low Expression of Adhesion Molecules in a Case of Cutaneous T‐cell Lymphoma

Abstract

A case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with low expression of the adhesion molecules lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) is described. The patient was a 90-year-old man with red round homogeneous tumors on his scalp, trunk, and extremities. He had no history of definite erythema or plaque stage. A biopsy sample taken from a tumor revealed massive infiltration of atypical lymphocytes in the reticular dermis and subcutis with a definite clear zone. The atypical lymphocytes were medium-sized with slightly convoluted nuclei. Immunohistochemically, the infiltrates showed the phenotype of so-called memory T cells. On the basis of these features, the case was diagnosed as CTCL. Expression of LFA-1, ICAM-1 and VLA-4 on the infiltrates was 9%, 13% and 11%, respectively, which is much lower than that in classic mycosis fungoides. This finding suggests that loss of these adhesion molecules may contribute to loss of epidermotropism in the advanced stage of CTCL.

The Elevated Interferon Gamma Production is an Important Immunological Marker in HAM/TSP Pathogenesis

“…Human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1), the first defined pathogenic human retrovirus, is the agent of the HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) [1, 2], and of the adult T‐cell leukaemia [3–5]. Others diseases are associated with HTLV‐1, such as multiorgan inflammatory disorders including myositis, uveitis, arthritis, dermatitis and alveolitis [6–10]. HTLV‐1 Infection is silent, persistent and >5% of patients develop a clinical condition three decades after infection.…”

Therapeutic Toll-like receptor agonists directly influence mouse and human T cell lymphoma cell viability and cytokine secretion

“…ODNs and imiquimod lowered the level of secretion of the adhesion molecules sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, as well as the chemokine RANTES. The secreted forms of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 have been implicated in the loss of epidermotropism seen in advanced cases of CTCL [13]. Malignant cells from patients with CTCL have previously been found to secrete elevated levels of sICAM-1 [14].…”