Immunoelectron microscopy in mycosis fungoides and benign dermatoses. Expression of CD3, CD4 and CD7 receptors.

UNLABELLED: Mycosis fungoides is an epidermotropic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).Specimens for presented study were taken from sixteen patients with MF confirmed by immunohistochemical methods and PCR and from nine patients with benign dermatoses. To demonstrate CD3, CD4 and CD7 antigens immunogold method was used. We saw morphological differences between lymphocytes from MF and benign dermatoses. In MF, CD3 and CD4 were present rather in form of clusters placed on the surface of cell. On the contrary -CD3 to CD7 distribution analysis showed that these antigens were present rather individually, however there were seen clusters as well. In MF tumor stage labelling decreased in following order: CD7, CD3 and CD4. We also found internalisation of studied antigens via the coated structures of the cell membrane -especially in tumor stage. In benign dermatoses the majority of all receptors was present on the cell membrane. Our work showed differences in localization of studied antigens, between MF stages, what can suggest their possible translocation in cells. We also found loss of CD3 and CD7 antigens in tumor stage what might be use as adiagnosis tool for this disease.

KEYWORDS: mycosis fungoides, benign dermatoses, CD3, CD4 and CD7 receptors, immumogold labelling.