title: T-cell receptor variable region gene expression in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.
abstract: The cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a group of diseases characterized by malignant proliferations of CD4 positive T-cells having monoclonally rearranged T-cell receptor (TCR) genes. A recent study using monoclonal antibodies to two TCR beta-chain variable (V) region gene products showed preferential expression of the V beta 8 gene product in these tumors. The finding of predominant usage of a single V beta gene would imply that selection by antigen is important in the etiology of these tumors. We have studied eight cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and one cell line derived from a patient with mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome, using an extended panel of antibodies to V region gene products. Contrary to the previous report, in our study expression of the V beta 8 gene product by tumor cells was not observed in any of the cases of CTCL or in the tumor cell line studied; preferential use of any of the variable region genes recognized by the antibodies in the panel was not observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Gilks
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Gascoyne
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ellison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001483:Base Sequence; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology*; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell