CD8(+) T lymphocytes reactive against Epstein-Barr virus antigens in skin lesions of a patient with Sézary syndrome

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Nov;53(5):897-900. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2005.07.044.

Abstract

Several studies have investigated the possible involvement of viral agents, and among them herpes viruses, in the development of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The aim of our study was to determine whether T cells specific to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens were detectable among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes infiltrating cutaneous lesions of a patient with Sézary syndrome. To analyze responses to EBV, we used a transient SV-40 origin-defective transformed simian cells transfection assay that permits an estimation of CD8 T-cell responses against a large number of HLA/viral protein combinations. This technique allowed the detection of EBV-specific T lymphocytes mainly directed against epitopes generated during the lytic cycle in the cutaneous lesions. This is, to our knowledge, the first description of the presence of EBV-specific T lymphocytes among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes infiltrating the lesional skin of a patient with Sézary syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology*
  • Sezary Syndrome / immunology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral