Spontaneous IL-8 production by CD4(+), CD7(+) leukemia cells in erythrodermic Sézary syndrome

Leuk Lymphoma. 2002 May;43(5):1061-6. doi: 10.1080/10428190290021498.

Abstract

Sézary syndrome has been described as the leukemic form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, defined by the presence of CD4(+) T-cells with cerebriform nuclei in the peripheral blood, erythroderma and lymphadenopathy with occasional involvement to lymph nodes, and visceral organs according to course. We report a 48-year-old woman with Sézary syndrome. Most of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) showed CD4(+), CD7(+) surface marker while infiltrating cells to the skin consisted of the same percentage of CD4/CD8 cells. CD4(+) cells predominantly expressed IL-8 both in PBMC and the skin, and generated significant amount of IL-8. In contrast, lesional keratinocytes showed only a trace amount of IL-8 when compared to strong expression by infiltrating CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells. These studies suggested that leukemia cell-derived cytokines such as IL-8 might play some role in the induction of erythrodermic features of Sézary syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD7 / analysis*
  • CD4 Antigens / analysis*
  • CD4-CD8 Ratio
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interleukin-8 / biosynthesis*
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Sezary Syndrome / immunology*
  • Sezary Syndrome / pathology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD7
  • CD4 Antigens
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-8
  • RNA, Messenger