Primary CD30-positive cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and lymphomatoid papulosis frequently express cytotoxic proteins.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the relationship between expression of cytotoxic proteins, histopathology and the CD30 status in primary cutaneous T-cell disorders, we investigated the expression of TIA-1, granzyme B and perforin in CD30 negative and CD30 positive cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) and lymphomatoid papulosis (LP).


RESULTS
We studied 26 cases of CTCL and 12 cases of LP for the expression of TIA-1, granzyme B and perforin which are granule-associated proteins of cytotoxic lymphocytes involved in the mechanism of apoptosis. We showed that most cases (10/13) of CD30 negative pleomorphic lymphomas expressed cytotoxic proteins only in scattered, apparently reactive lymphocytes, the exception being one CD8+ CTCL and two gammadelta subcutaneous 'panniculitis-like' T-cell lymphomas. We also showed that at least one cytotoxic protein was expressed in a proportion of neoplastic cells in 77% (10/13) of CD30+ T-cell lymphomas (3/4 pleomorphic and 7/9 anaplastic) and in a proportion of atypical cells in 75% (9/12) of LP.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show a strong correlation between the CD30 phenotype and the expression of cytotoxic proteins in primary CTCL. In addition, these results provide further evidence for an overlap between lymphomatoid papulosis and cutaneous CD30+ pleomorphic and anaplastic lymphomas. These entities, which belong to the spectrum of CD30 positive cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferations, appear to be derived from cytotoxic cells.
Boulland
M L
ML
Département de Pathologie and EA 2348, Hôpital Henri Mondor, AP-HP, Créteil, France.
Wechsler
J
J
Bagot
M
M
Pulford
K
K
Kanavaros
P
P
Gaulard
P
P
D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D053804:Granzymes; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017731:Lymphomatoid Papulosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D054353:Perforin; D039102:Poly(A)-Binding Proteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000074019:T-Cell Intracellular Antigen-1; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000378:metabolism
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D017730:Ki-1 Antigen; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D039102:Poly(A)-Binding Proteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D000074019:T-Cell Intracellular Antigen-1; C071558:TIA1 protein, human; D054353:Perforin; C509213:GZMB protein, human; D053804:Granzymes; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases