Xanthomatized atypical T cells in a patient with mycosis fungoides and hyperlipidemia.
BACKGROUND
Lipoprotein-T-cell interactions are being reported with increasing frequency, and there is evidence that lipoproteins play a role in immunoregulation. We describe a patient with mycosis fungoides and hyperlipidemia who developed xanthomatization in one preexisting plaque. The case is unique in that some of the lipidized cells were atypical T cells. In previously reported cases of mycosis fungoides with dystrophic xanthomatosis, the lipid-containing cells have been identified only as histiocytes.


METHODS
Immunopathologic features, electron microscopy, and lipid stains of the xanthomatized plaque demonstrated that some of the lipid-laden cells were atypical T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
In mycosis fungoides, malignant T cells may be intimately involved in processing of tissue lipids. We suggest that low-density lipoprotein receptors on activated T cells facilitated the cytoplasmic lipidization in this case.
Ross
E V
EV
Department of Dermatology, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
Roman
L
L
Rushin
J M
JM
Cobb
M W
MW
Friedman
K J
KJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000473:pathology; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008055:Lipids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000473:pathology*
D008055:Lipids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL