Lymphocyte-epidermis interactions in malignant epidermotropic lymphomas: I. Ultrastructural aspects

Abstract

The interactions between lymphocytes, Langerhals cells and keratinocytes, are described by electron microscopy in cutaneous lesions of malignant epidermotropic lymphomas (mycosis fungoides and Sézary's syndrome). Various contacts are observed between the different cells. During the degenerating process of keratinocytes, Langerhans cells disappear and histiocytic cells are bound to necrosing epidermal cells. The immunological process of Pautrier microabscess formation is discussed by comparison with ultrastructural aspects of cutaneous lecions of G.V.H. reaction in man.

Anti-Ia-reactive cells in mycosis fungoides: a study of skin biopsies, single epidermal cells and circulating T lymphocytes

“…at least hapten antigenie stimulation does not seem to cause an epidermal intercellular la pattern en, 28) as has been described here and previously (26) for some M F patients. Other claim from ultra structural studies that keratinocytcs-not Langer hans cells-are the target cells for the immuno logical process in MF (19). Our initial attempt to test the antigen persistence hypothesis by investigating the stimulatory capacity of individual epidermal cells f r om MF skin lesions in autologous MLR tests (Table IV).…”