Immunocytology of plasmacytoid T cells: marker analysis indicates a unique phenotype of this enigmatic cell.
Clusters of plasmacytoid T cells (PTC) were detected in axillary lymph nodes draining an invasive ductal breast cancer in a 64-year-old woman. Immunocytology of PTC revealed a remarkable antigenic profile. Analysis with a broad spectrum of monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that PTC bear the CD4 surface antigen (Leu-3a+ and OKT4+), the transferrin receptor (OKT9+), and components of the HLA class-II antigens (TU35+, TU39+, Leu-10+). Surprisingly, PTC were stained by two monoclonal antibodies recognizing monocytes and macrophages (Ki-M6 and Ki-M7). Finally, Leu-8, which detects most mature T lymphocytes, also identified the PTC, and all pan T-cell markers (Leu-1, UCHT 1, and Lyt 3) were constantly negative. The cytogenesis and the functional properties of PTC remain a matter of discussion.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006680:HLA Antigens; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin