title: The role of alpha E beta 7 integrin (CD103) and E-cadherin in epidermotropism in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
abstract: Adhesion molecules such as integrins and cadherins are thought to play a critical role in T-cell migration and localization within the epidermis (epidermotropism). The purpose of this study was to correlate T-cell expression of the integrin CD103 and E-cadherin in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Serial sections of skin biopsies from 22 patients with CTCL and 13 with benign reactive dermatitis were stained with antibodies to CD4, CD103, and E-cadherin by the avidin-biotin peroxidase technique. CD103 was expressed on single epidermotropic CD4+ T-cells in 9/9 early stage (patch/plaque) CTCL and 6/10 reactive dermatitis biopsies. Less than 30% of dermal T-cells expressed CD103. All 4/4 late stage (tumor) CTCL were CD103-. Epidermal aggregates of CD4+ T-cells (Pautrier's microabscesses) were CD103-. E-cadherin was expressed on epidermal keratinocytes and follicular and sweat gland epithelia but not on T-cells. We conclude that CD103 expression on cutaneous T-cells parallels the degree of epidermotropism exhibited in both neoplastic and inflammatory disorders of the skin. E-cadherin is not expressed on T-cells infiltrating the skin. Further investigation is necessary to further elucidate the interaction between CD103 and E-cadherin in facilitating trafficking of T-cells into the epidermis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Whitaker-Menezes
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lessin
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; D016023:Integrins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology*; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018523:Tropism / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; D016023:Integrins; C091367:alpha E integrins; C070709:integrin alphaEbeta7