Heterogeneity in the phenotypic profile of cerebriform cells from a patient with Sézary syndrome.

ABSTRACT

This paper reports the results of a series of light and electron microscopic, cytochemical, immunologic and cytogenetic investigations performed in a patient with Sézary syndrome. Fifty-two percent of the cerebriform cells were OKIa-1 positive and 55% were acid alpha-naphthyl-acetate esterase (ANAE) negative. Since activated T-lymphocytes are known to lose their peculiar ANAE activity while acquiring Ia-like antigens, it is conceivable that the ANAE-negative and OKIa-1-positive cells represent an in vivo activated subset. Thus, it appears that a typical Sézary cell population from a given individual can exhibit heterogeneous phenotypic profiles.