Characterization of the mononuclear cell infiltrate in human malignant melanoma

In the skin infiltrate of superficial spreading melanoma, non phagocytosing mononuclear cells (NPMC) represent a major cell component. The number of NPMCs decreases as a function of tumour progression. In addition, when an NPMC is in contact with a malignant melanocyte, the latter cell exhibits ultrastructural degenerative changes. In the blood of healthy donors and of melanoma patients, atypical mononuclear cells (AMC) can be identified. AMCs have been shown to participate in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) reactions against melanoma cells in vitro. In this paper, it is reported that NPMCs and AMCs have in common their size, and some ultrastructural features such as indented nuclei, dispersed organelles, rough endoplasmic reticulum profiles and surface microvilli. The two cell types are negative for non-specific esterase. They also fail to react for peroxidase at either the light or the electron microscopic level. They do not adhere to glass. AMCs do not form spontaneous E rosettes, they have no surface IgG and they have no receptors for complement. However, they do form rosettes with EAIgG. On frozen sections firm binding of EAIgG has been seen on the skin infiltrate in three cases out of 10. It is concluded that NPMCs might react with tumour cells in vivo, in the same manner as do AMCs in vitro.