CD4+CD56+ hematodermic neoplasms bear a plasmacytoid dendritic cell phenotype

Publication

CD4+CD56+ hematodermic neoplasms bear a plasmacytoid dendritic cell phenotype

Journal Paper/Review - Sep 1, 2005

Urosevic Mirjana, Conrad Curdin, Kamarashev Jivko, Asagoe Kenji, Cozzio Antonio, Burg Günter, Dummer Reinhard

Citation

Urosevic M, Conrad C, Kamarashev J, Asagoe K, Cozzio A, Burg G, Dummer R. CD4+CD56+ hematodermic neoplasms bear a plasmacytoid dendritic cell phenotype. Hum Pathol 2005; 36:1020-4.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Hum Pathol 2005; 36

Publication Date

Sep 1, 2005

Issn Print

0046-8177

Pages

1020-4

Brief description/objective

CD4+CD56+ hematodermic neoplasms (HNs) with initial presentation in the skin are characterized by highly aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Recent studies indicate that malignant cells, which are devoid of common T-, B-, NK-, and myeloid lineage markers, may be of plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) origin. We undertook a study to assess the expression of several pDC-associated molecules on a series of 5 CD4+CD56+ HN cases. CD123 was expressed in all 5 cases, with some heterogeneity in individual cases. All but one case revealed fine membranous BDCA-2 staining of the dermal infiltrate. pDC-like phenotype of the malignant infiltrating cells was confirmed by costaining of BDCA-2+ cells with CD123 and CD4. MxA protein, representing the surrogate marker for lesional type I interferon activity, was expressed in 4 of 5 evaluated cases. Our findings further substantiate the putative pDC origin of CD4+CD56+ HNs.