title: Detection of macrophage migration inhibitory factor by monoclonal antibody in Sézary syndrome.
abstract: We have reported previously on the generation of a monoclonal antibody against human macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which is a mediator of cellular immunity. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor activity in the migration assay was closely correlated with antibody reactivity. Using this antibody called 1C5/B, we are now able to study the expression of MIF in situ. Here, we report on the detection of MIF in blood lymphocytes and skin of a patient with a leukemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with the characteristics of Sézary syndrome. Ninety percent of the patient's Ficoll Hypaque-isolated peripheral white blood cells were of the helper phenotype. By conventional immunoperoxidase method, 94% reacted strongly positive with the antibody 1C5/B. In contrast, using the immunofluorescence method only 25% reacted positive. This indicates that the majority of the tumor cells did not express the molecule on their membrane but only in the cytoplasma. No other marker, such as interleukin 2 receptor, HLA-DR antigen, or interferon-gamma could be related to the expression of MIF. Also the cellular infiltrate in the skin was composed mainly of T helper cells and reacted positive with 1C5/B. As less than 3% of normal blood lymphocytes reacted with 1C5/B we suggest that the conversion to positivity may be a characteristic feature of the leukemic T-cell phenotype in Sézary syndrome.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schlegel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Steckel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sorg
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors