A majority of proliferating T cells in cutaneous malignant T cell lymphomas may lack the high affinity IL-2 receptor (CD25).
IL-2 is a major growth factor for all T-cell subsets acting via a specific membrane receptor. To investigate its role in the pathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs), we analysed the expression of high-affinity IL-2 receptors (IL-2Rs) on proliferating cells in these disorders. We showed by immunohistochemical double staining that most cycling cells do not express high-affinity IL-2Rs. Four T-cell lines were established from patients with CTCLs. Two lines required both IL-2 and IL-4 for growth, one line required IL-2 and one line IL-4 alone. The last of these lacked expression of the IL-2R alpha-chain. Thus, IL-2 may not be the only, or the most important, growth stimulus in CTCLs and reactive skin infiltrates. T helper cells, which dominated the infiltrate, might represent TH2 cells.
Department of Dermatology, University of Ulm, Germany.
W H
WH
Boehncke
J
J
Gerdes
M
M
Wiese
K
K
Kaltoft
W
W
Sterry
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2