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Plasmacytoid monocytes in Jessner's lymphocytic infiltration of the skin
F Facchetti1, G Boden, C De Wolf-Peeters
1Department of Pathology, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
Insights
Plasmacytoid monocytes, common in lymph nodes, were found in skin biopsies of patients with lymphocytic infiltration. These cells, located near blood vessels, may play a role in recruiting lymphocytes to the skin.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Plasmacytoid monocytes are normal components of human lymph nodes.
- Perivascular clusters of these cells have been observed in skin with lymphocytic infiltration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the occurrence of plasmacytoid monocyte clusters in skin biopsy specimens.
- To investigate the immunophenotype and distribution of these cells in the skin.
Main Methods:
- Light microscopy and immunohistochemistry were used on 54 skin biopsy specimens.
- Immunohistochemistry was performed on both paraffin and frozen sections.
Main Results:
- Plasmacytoid monocyte clusters were found in 16 of 54 biopsy specimens, associated with dermal venules.
- These clusters consisted of medium-sized cells, pyknotic cells, and tangible body macrophages.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed a similar immunophenotype to that seen in reactive lymph nodes.
Conclusions:
- Plasmacytoid monocytes are common constituents of skin-associated lymphoid tissue, similar to their role in lymph nodes.
- Their perivascular distribution and immunophenotype suggest a role in lymphocyte recruitment to the skin.
Abstract:
Plasmacytoid monocytes are normal cell constituents of the human lymph node and have been found to form perivascular clusters in a case of lymphocytic infiltration of the skin. This study was undertaken to analyze the occurrence of plasmacytoid monocyte clusters in biopsy specimens from 54 patients with lymphocytic infiltration of the skin using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Variably sized clusters of plasmacytoid monocytes were observed in close association with dermal venules in 16 of 54 biopsy specimens and were composed of medium-sized cells, admixed with pyknotic cells and, occasionally, with tangible body macrophages. Immunohistochemistry on paraffin and on frozen sections facilitated the recognition of plasmacytoid monocytes and showed an immunophenotype similar to that observed previously on reactive lymph nodes. It is concluded that, in analogy with reactive lymph nodes, plasmacytoid monocytes represent a common constituent of the skin-associated lymphoid tissue. The striking perivascular distribution and the immunophenotypical characteristics of these monocyte-derived cells suggest they may have a role in the process of lymphocyte recruitment into the skin.