CCR4 + T cell recruitment to the skin in mycosis fungoides: Potential contributions by thymic stromal lymphopoietin and interleukin-16

Marina Tuzova, Jillian Richmond, Deon Wolpowitz, Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski, Keri Chaney, Thomas Kupper, William Cruikshank

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is characterized by skin accumulation of CCR4+CCR7- effector memory T cells; however the mechanism for their recruitment is not clearly identified. Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a keratinocyte-derived cytokine that triggers Th2 immunity and is associated with T cell recruitment to the skin in atopic dermatitis. Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is a chemoattractant and growth factor for CD4+ T cells. We hypothesized that TSLP and IL-16 could contribute to recruitment of malignant T cells in MF. We found elevated TSLP and IL-16 in very early stage patients' plasma and skin biopsies, prior to elevation in CCL22. Both TSLP and IL-16 induced migratory responses of CCR4+TSLPR+CD4+CCR7-CD31+ cells, characteristic of malignant T cells in the skin. Co-stimulation also resulted in significant proliferative responses. We conclude that TSLP and IL-16, expressed at early stages of disease, function to recruit malignant T cells to the skin and contribute to their enhanced proliferation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)440-449
Number of pages10
JournalLeukemia and Lymphoma
Volume56
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2015

Keywords

  • Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL)
  • Interleukin-16 (IL-16)
  • Mycosis fungoides (MF)
  • Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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