Decreased expression of Fas (APO-1/CD95) on peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.
BACKGROUND
The usually protracted and indolent course of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is consistent with an accumulation of lymphocytes rather than being a true proliferative disorder, perhaps as the result of defective lymphocyte apoptosis. Fas (CD95) is the main signalling membrane molecule involved in postactivation T-lymphocyte apoptosis.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate expression of Fas on circulating CD4+ lymphocytes in patients with CTCL.


METHODS
Fas expression on peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in 16 patients with mycosis fungoides (patch and infiltrated plaque stages) and in four patients with Sézary syndrome was compared with that in 25 matched patients with lymphocyte-mediated cutaneous benign inflammatory disorders and in 15 subjects without inflammatory cutaneous diseases.


RESULTS
Fas expression on peripheral CD4+ lymphocytes was significantly lower in patients with CTCL compared with subjects with benign inflammatory cutaneous disorders and with healthy donors.


CONCLUSIONS
This pattern supports the hypothesis that a defect in T-cell apoptosis may play a part in the pathophysiology of CTCL, perhaps through abnormalities of the Fas/Fas ligand system. Alternatively, this decrease could be the result of the presence of the soluble Fas ligand molecule in the sera of patients with CTCL.
Dereure
O
O
Department of Dermatology-Phlebology and Laboratory of Immunology, University Hospital of Montpellier, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, 2 avenue B. Sans, 34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. ofdereure@wanadoo.fr
Portales
P
P
Clot
J
J
Guilhou
J J
JJ
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
D019014:fas Receptor