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

Leuk Lymphoma. 2015 Feb;56(2):440-9. doi: 10.3109/10428194.2014.919634. Epub 2014 Jun 6.

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.

Keywords: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP); cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL); interleukin-16 (IL-16); mycosis fungoides (MF).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CCL22 / immunology
  • Chemokine CCL22 / metabolism
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Cytokines / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-16 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-16 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-16 / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycosis Fungoides / blood
  • Mycosis Fungoides / immunology*
  • Mycosis Fungoides / metabolism
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / immunology
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Receptors, CCR4 / immunology*
  • Receptors, CCR4 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytokine / immunology
  • Receptors, Cytokine / metabolism
  • Skin / immunology
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / blood
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin

Substances

  • CCR4 protein, human
  • CRLF2 protein, human
  • Chemokine CCL22
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-16
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Receptors, CCR4
  • Receptors, Cytokine
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin