Establishment of T and B cell lines from patients with mycosis fungoides

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Patients (18) with mycosis fungoides were studied in order to establish cell lines that might be associated with the human T cell leukemia-lymphoma virus (HTLV). Three T cell lines were established, 2 from affected skin and 1 from a lymph node showing dermatopathic lymphadenopathy. The T cells expressed OKT3 and OKT4 antigens. They temporarily expressed an HTLV pI9-like antigen in up to 5% of the cells during culture. None of the patients had lymphocytosis or abnormal lymphocytes, except one patient with Sezary''s syndrome. T cell lines could not be established from peripheral blood, but 5 B lymphoblastoid cell lines were obtained, all positive for the Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen. The 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 PI9 antigen may indicate the presence of retrovirus, but further studies are needed.