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Establishment of T and B cell lines from patients with mycosis fungoides
Abstract:
Eighteen patients with mycosis fungoides were studied in order to establish cell lines that might be associated with the human T cell leukaemia-lymphoma virus (HTLV). Three T cell lines were established, two from affected skin and one from a lymph node showing dermatopathic lymphadenopathy. The T cells expressed OKT3 and OKT4 antigens. They temporarily expressed an HTLV p19-like antigen in up to 5% of the cells during culture. None of our patients had lymphocytosis or abnormal lymphocytes, except one patient with Sézary's syndrome. We could not establish T cell lines from peripheral blood, but five B lymphoblastoid cell lines were obtained, all positive for the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen. Our finding that T cell lines can be established from skin biopsies and lymph nodes of patients with mycosis fungoides, but not from the blood, supports the concept of a malignant T lymphocyte primarily localized in the skin. The temporary expression of HTLV p19 antigen may indicate the presence of retrovirus, but further studies are needed.
Insights
Researchers established T cell lines from mycosis fungoides skin and lymph nodes, not blood. These cells showed temporary human T cell leukaemia-lymphoma virus (HTLV) p19 antigen expression, suggesting a skin-localized malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mycosis fungoides is a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
- The potential association between mycosis fungoides and human T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma virus (HTLV) remains an area of investigation.
- Establishing cell lines is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish T-cell lines from patients with mycosis fungoides.
- To investigate potential associations with human T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma virus (HTLV).
- To determine the primary site of T-cell involvement in mycosis fungoides.
Main Methods:
- Culturing T-cells from skin biopsies and lymph nodes of 18 mycosis fungoides patients.
- Attempting to establish cell lines from peripheral blood.
- Immunophenotyping T-cells for specific antigens (OKT3, OKT4).
- Testing for HTLV p19 antigen expression and Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen.
Main Results:
- Successfully established three T-cell lines from skin and lymph node samples.
- T-cell lines expressed OKT3 and OKT4 antigens.
- Temporary expression of an HTLV p19-like antigen was observed in a small percentage of cells.
- T-cell lines could not be established from peripheral blood.
- Five Epstein-Barr virus-positive B lymphoblastoid cell lines were obtained from blood.
Conclusions:
- T-cell lines can be successfully established from mycosis fungoides skin and lymph node tissues, but not peripheral blood.
- This supports the hypothesis that malignant T-lymphocytes in mycosis fungoides are primarily localized in the skin.
- The transient HTLV p19 antigen expression suggests a possible retroviral presence, warranting further research.