title: Correlation between clonotypic T-cell receptor beta chain variable region (TCR-V beta) gene expression and aberrant T-cell antigen expression in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
abstract: Immunohistochemical studies can augment the clinicopathologic diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Our goal was to determine whether a panel of 11 T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable region (V beta) monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) could consistently identify clonal T-cell populations within CTCL skin infiltrates, and whether these cell exhibited aberrant T-cell antigen expression. Biopsies from 24 CTCL and 3 parapsoriasis patients were analyzed. Of the 27 patients, 4 (15%) demonstrated T-cell clonality by restricted TCR-V beta moAb staining. The V beta + restricted cells expressed aberrant antigen profiles. Overall, aberrant antigen profiles were detected in 18/24 (75%) CTCL. Patients. V beta 18 moAb crossreacted with a 85 kD protein produced by basal and suprabasal keratinocytes. We conclude: 1) Restricted TCR-V beta expression correlated with aberrant T-cell antigen profiles: 2) In the absence of a complete panel of TCR-V beta moAbs, localization of aberrant T-cell antigen expression can be useful in identifying malignant T-cells within CTCL skin infiltrates; 3) The detection sensitivity and specificity of the currently available TCR-V beta moAbs may limit their utility to consistently detect clonal T-cell populations in CTCL skin biopsies; 4) A 85 kD protein present on basal and suprabasal keratinocytes is recognized by V beta 18 moAb and may be related to immune function(s) of the epidermis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Boston University, MA, USA.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Finn
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jaworsky
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chooback
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lessin
mesh_terms: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002999:Clone Cells; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta