LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS PANNICULITIS - AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

An immunohistochemical study on a case of lupus erythematosus pannicul itis (LEP), without discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) or systemic lupu s erythematosus (SLE) signs, showed that the cells in skin infiltrates were immunologically committed lymphocytes (OKT4, OKT8, OKT11 and HLA -DR positive cells) and elements of the monocyte-macrophage lineage (L eu M3 and Leu M5 positive). No immunophenotypically identifiable B-lym phocytes were seen. Immunofluorescent IgG, IgM, C3 and C4 deposits wer e found in blood vessel walls of the deep dermis. These findings, simi lar to that described in the skin changes of SLE and DLE, suggest that immunological mechanisms are operative in localized LEP, where the de rmal lesions are the only expression of the disease.