PCR DETECTION OF CLONAL TCR GAMMA-GENE REARRANGEMENTS IN A GROUP OF CUTANEOUS T-CELL LYMPHOMAS INCLUDING A CASE OF LOCALIZED PAGETOID RETICULOSIS EXPRESSING THE GAMMA-DELTA TCR

In this report, we describe the analysis of clonality performed using a PCR-based approach in a group of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas includin g a case of localised pagetoid reticulosis expressing the gamma delta T-cell receptor. For our PCR analysis DNA was extracted from frozen ti ssue of 10 cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and subjected to polyme rase chain reaction amplification using primers recognizing conserved sequences of the variable and joining regions of the T-cell receptor g amma chain gene. PCR products were then analyzed by high resolution no n-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Clonal TCR gamma gene rearrangements were detected in all the cases investigated including the case of localised pagetoid reticulosis. The PCR-based approach use d in this study may provide an alternative to conventional Southern bl ot analysis for the analysis of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas as it is ea sy to perform and requires only minimal amounts of DNA. The findings i n localized pagetoid reticulosis are consistent with the proliferation of monoclonal T-cells in lesional skin of this condition and provide evidence for the lymphoproliferative nature of this clinically benign disorder.