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T‐cell receptor gene analysis in cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas
Author(s) -
WHITTAKER S.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1365-2230
pISSN - 0307-6938
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2230.1996.tb00025.x
Subject(s) - t cell receptor , t cell , lymphoma , biology , major histocompatibility complex , immunology , immune system , antigen , cutaneous t cell lymphoma , cell , cancer research , genetics , mycosis fungoides
Summary An essential property of the immune system is its ability to generate diverse antibody and T‐cell mediated responses to virtually any potential foreign particle, The basic molecular mechanisms responsible for producing this extensive diversity have now been elucidated. Each T cell expresses a unique membrane hound T‐cell antigen receptor (TCR) which combines with specific antigenic peptides and major histocompatibility complex molecules. The characterization of TCR usage now represents a focal point for many studies of inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. Such studies are helping to clarify the pathogenesis of T‐cell mediated diseases and provide the basis for the development of specific therapies. This paper will review several techniques used to identify neoplastic T‐cell clones in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma. Similar methods may be used to analyse TCR gene usage in cutaneous inflammatory dermatoses.