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Expression of T‐cell receptor‐γδ in normal human skin, inflammatory dermatoses and mycosis fungoides
Author(s) -
Hocker Thomas L.,
Wada David A.,
elAzhary Rokea,
Gibson Lawrence E.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2011.01859.x
Subject(s) - mycosis fungoides , pathology , peripheral t cell lymphoma , cd3 , medicine , t cell receptor , t cell , cutaneous t cell lymphoma , erythema multiforme , immunostaining , dermatology , immunology , lymphoma , immunohistochemistry , cd8 , antigen , immune system
Background: T cells expressing the γδ T‐cell receptor (TCR) (γδ T cells) are found in normal epithelial tissues such as the skin. However, the proportions of γδ T cells that may be observed in commonly encountered cutaneous diseases with a prominent lymphocytic infiltrate have not been elucidated. Methods: Our pathology database was searched for cases of mycosis fungoides, erythema multiforme, graft‐versus‐host disease, lichen planus, lupus panniculitis and spongiotic dermatitis. Immunostaining for CD3, βF1 and the TCR γ chain was performed on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens retrieved from these cases to determine the normal range of γδ T cells in these diseases. Results: In 100 of the 101 cases studied (99.0%), γδ T cells accounted for less than 10% of the T‐cell infiltrate. Furthermore, γδ T cells were essentially absent in 74 cases (73.3%). Conclusions: These results suggest that γδ T cells very rarely account for more than 10% of the lymphocytic infiltrate in common inflammatory or infiltrative processes of the skin. Any case of suspected mycosis fungoides or interface dermatitis that possesses more than 10% γδ T cells should raise consideration for further investigation. Hocker TL, Wada DA, el‐Azhary R, Gibson LE. Expression of T‐cell receptor‐γδ in normal human skin, dermatitis and mycosis fungoides.