Sézary Syndrome: A Model for Migration of T Lymphocytes to Skin

Abstract

THE Sezary syndrome is characterized by generalized erythroderma, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and the presence of abnormal mononuclear cells in skin infiltrates and peripheral blood.1 , 2 The neoplastic cells in this disorder have morphologic, immunologic, and functional similarities to thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes.3 4 5 The origin of the Sezary cell is unclear. Initially it was thought that Sezary cells originated in the skin.1 Autoradiography of skin lesions revealed a high number of labeled cells in the dermis as compared with a relatively low number in peripheral blood.6 Intravenous and intradermal injection of isotopes has also shown a greater labeling index for dermal Sezary cells.7 This . . .