Immunohistological analysis of the lymphoid infiltrate in cutaneous malignant melanomas.
The immunological phenotypes of the lymphoid cells in 39 cutaneous malignant melanomas have been investigated by staining cryostat sections with a panel of 20 monoclonal antibodies against lymphoid cells and their subsets. Staining was performed by the alkaline phosphatase: anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) method in which the substrate label (red) is easily distinguishable from melanin. The lymphoid infiltrates had an essentially identical composition in all cases, consisting of T-lymphocytes associated with both Langerhans cells and HLA-DR-positive tissue macrophages. B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells were either absent or only present in low numbers. The ratio between T8 (suppressor/cytotoxic) and T4 (helper/inducer) lymphocytes varied and showed no correlation with melanoma subtype, level of invasion or magnitude of lymphocytic response. Examination for markers associated with T-cell activation and/or with cell proliferation revealed that all lesions contained HLA-DR-positive T-lymphocytes, whereas expression of the transferrin receptor and the interleukin-2 receptor (Tac-antigen) occurred mainly in melanomas with a significant inflammatory infiltrate. These data support the concept that malignant melanomas are capable of evoking autologous T-cell immune reactions.
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase