Heterogeneity of circulating CD4+ memory T-cell subsets in erythrodermic patients: CD27 analysis can help to distinguish cutaneous T-cell lymphomas from inflammatory erythroderma.

BACKGROUND

Chronic dermatoses, as well as Sézary syndrome (SS), the erythrodermic and leukaemic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, display a T-cell memory pattern. Recent findings suggest that different memory T-cell subsets can be recognized based on CD27 and CD45RO/RA expression. No data are reported as to CD27 expression in SS.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate different memory T-cell subsets, i.e. central memory (TCM), effector memory (TEM) and terminally differentiated cells in SS and inflammatory erythroderma (IE).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Forty SS and 137 IE patients were included. CD27 and CD45RO/CD45RA expression was analysed by flow cytometry on peripheral blood lymphocytes and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

A significantly higher expression of the CD4+CD27+CD45RA- TCM subset was observed in SS whilst IE patients were characterized by increased CD4+CD27-CD45RA- TEM levels. The Vbeta-restricted population was homogeneously CD4+CD26-CD27+ in the SS subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

SS and IE are characterized by a different memory T-cell subset expression; CD27 expression could be used as an additional diagnostic tool in the differential diagnosis.