Malignant T Cells Secrete Galectins and Induce Epidermal Hyperproliferation and Disorganized Stratification in a Skin Model of Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

TY - JOUR

T1 - Malignant T Cells Secrete Galectins and Induce Epidermal Hyperproliferation and Disorganized Stratification in a Skin Model of Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

AU - Thode, Christenze

AU - Andersen, Anders Woetmann

AU - Wandall, Hans H

AU - Carlsson, Michael C

AU - Qvortrup, Klaus

AU - Kauczok, Claudia-S

AU - Wobser, Marion

AU - Printzlau, Andreas

AU - Odum, Niels

AU - Dabelsteen, Sally

PY - 2015/1/1

Y1 - 2015/1/1

N2 - Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are the most common primary skin lymphomas, which are characterized by an accumulation of malignant T cells in the skin. The early lesion resembles both clinically and histologically benign inflammatory disorders and also presents with hyperproliferative epidermis and T-cell infiltration. Despite considerable progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the malignant transformation of T cells, the causes of the morphological and histopathological features of the disease are largely unknown. We used an organotypic model of CTCL to show that malignant T cells through the secretion of galectin-1 and -3 stimulate vigorous growth of keratinocytes. In parallel, malignant T cells induce disorganized keratinocyte stratification, resembling the early hyperproliferative stage of CTCL. We also observed a loss of attachment between the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments. In addition, hyperproliferation was followed by a downregulation of differentiation markers, such as keratin 10 and involucrin, and a decrease in barrier formation. In conclusion, we provide evidence that malignant T cells orchestrate the histopathological epidermal changes seen in CTCL.

AB - Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are the most common primary skin lymphomas, which are characterized by an accumulation of malignant T cells in the skin. The early lesion resembles both clinically and histologically benign inflammatory disorders and also presents with hyperproliferative epidermis and T-cell infiltration. Despite considerable progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the malignant transformation of T cells, the causes of the morphological and histopathological features of the disease are largely unknown. We used an organotypic model of CTCL to show that malignant T cells through the secretion of galectin-1 and -3 stimulate vigorous growth of keratinocytes. In parallel, malignant T cells induce disorganized keratinocyte stratification, resembling the early hyperproliferative stage of CTCL. We also observed a loss of attachment between the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments. In addition, hyperproliferation was followed by a downregulation of differentiation markers, such as keratin 10 and involucrin, and a decrease in barrier formation. In conclusion, we provide evidence that malignant T cells orchestrate the histopathological epidermal changes seen in CTCL.

U2 - 10.1038/jid.2014.284

DO - 10.1038/jid.2014.284

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25007045

SN - 0022-202X

VL - 135

SP - 238

EP - 246

JO - Journal of Investigative Dermatology

JF - Journal of Investigative Dermatology

IS - 1

ER -