Role of Synchrotron infra red microspectroscopy in studying epidermotropism of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
The molecular mechanisms of epidermotropism in mycosis fungoides (MF) are not well understood to date.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to differentiate between epidermal and dermal lymphocytes within the skin of MF patients.


METHODS
This study was done on 10 MF patients with a mean age of 50 years diagnosed clinically in the Department of Dermatology, Cairo University, Egypt. A 6 mm biopsy was taken from each patient in order to confirm the diagnosis. Skin biopsies were cut, put on low e-slides and then stained with H&E. Further examination with Synchrotron infrared (IR) microspectroscopy was done in National Synchrotron Light Source--Brookhaven National Laboratory, New York, USA. Immunophenotyping using antibodies CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20 and CD30 was also done. Statistical analysis was done by Student's t-test and cluster analysis.


RESULTS
Both epidermal and dermal lymphocytes were clustered separately. Also, Amide I and RNA and DNA within the lymphocytes were significantly different between the epidermis and the dermis.


CONCLUSIONS
The biochemical analysis of protein, RNA and DNA with Synchrotron IR microspectroscopy is a promising tool for studying epidermotropism in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
El Bedewi
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A
National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt. aelbedewi@hotmail.com
El Anany
G
G
El Mofty
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M
D001706:Biopsy; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D017356:Synchrotrons