Quantitation of T-cell DNA in cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates.
A method is described that allows the quantitation of T-cell DNA within a tissue biopsy specimen. This method is based on the densitometric evaluation of the multiband pattern of TCR-gamma gene rearrangements detectable in Southern blot analyses of polyclonal T-cell DNA digested with HindIII. These rearrangements can be detected down to a limit of approximately 5% T-cell DNA. The information derived from this type of analysis can be used to roughly assess the total T-cell content of lesional tissue specimens expressed as a percentage of total tissue DNA, and can be correlated with the pattern of T-cell infiltration visualized by immunohistology. This assessment can be used also to determine the threshold, expressed as a percentage of total lesional T-cell DNA instead of total tissue DNA, required for the detection of a monoclonal T-cell population by Southern blot analysis. These quantitative relationships may prove useful for studying cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and associated precursor conditions.
Wood
G S
GS
Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve, University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
Bourguin
A
A
Crooks
C F
CF
Sklar
J
J
D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D015334:Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000502:physiology
D004247:DNA