The expression of cytokine messenger-rnas in clear cell acanthoma

Clear cell acanthoma (syn: Degos' acanthoma) is a tumorous condition of the skin of unknown aetiology. It is seen as fleshy vascular papules which are solitary and are usually located on die lower extremities. We have studied 4 cases using cDNA-mRNA in situ hybridization for growth and immunological factors thought to be important molecular regulators in the skin. We obtained strongest binding with an interleukin-2 (IL-2) probe which bound to the tumour cells in the epidermis and to lymphoid cells in the dermal infiltrate. We also observed binding of probes for IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-alpha and TGF-alpha. Binding with the IL-2R probe was confined to scant cells in the tumour and a few cells in the lymphoid infiltrate. The significance of these observations and possible mechanisms for the pathogenesis of clear cell acanthoma are discussed.