Immune-mediated destruction of melanocytes in halo nevi is associated with the local expansion of a limited number of T cell clones

J Immunol. 1999 Feb 1;162(3):1789-94.

Abstract

The beta-chain repertoire of the T cells that infiltrate spontaneously regressing nevi (the halo nevus phenomenon) was studied. In addition to the infiltration of the halo nevi by cutaneous lymphocyte-associated Ag-positive lymphocytes, oligoclonal expansion of T cells was observed in all halo nevi of all patients. T cells using the same TCR beta-chain were observed in distinct halo nevi of the same patient but not in his peripheral blood, demonstrating a local expansion of common clones that are most likely activated by the Ag(s) shared by independent halo nevi of the same patient.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Base Sequence
  • Complementarity Determining Regions*
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin alpha-Chains / genetics
  • Melanocytes / immunology*
  • Melanocytes / pathology*
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Nevus, Pigmented / genetics
  • Nevus, Pigmented / immunology*
  • Nevus, Pigmented / pathology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / genetics
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Complementarity Determining Regions
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Immunoglobulin alpha-Chains
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta