Surface markers on lymphocytes and cells of the mononuclear phagocyte series in skin sections in leprosy

Abstract

E, EA and EAC rosetting techniques and Ig fluorescence were used in a study of receptor sites in cryostat sections of lesions through the spectrum of leprosy, and for comparison in some other mycobacterial and granulomatous lesions. Anti-C3, and trypsin were used as blocking agents. Lymphocytes in borderline lepromatous leprosy produced EA adherence and IgG fluorescence indicating B type cells. Lymphocytes in tuberculoid leprosy produced neither E or EA adherence and no fluorescence; these cells were presumed to be T cells. EAC and EA adherence was more marked in areas of macrophage infiltration, where there were few lymphocytes, than over the lympocytes themselves. Two distinct patterns emerged: (i) EA binding together with IgG fluorescence was seen in active lepromatous leprosy and could be localised to the surface of individual macrophages, and (ii) EAC binding together with IgM fluorescence was seen in the granuloma of tuberculoid leprosy and sarcoidosis, but could not be definitely related to cell surface; rather it was diffusely spread over the whole granuloma; EAC adherence was diminished by anti-C3 serum. Trypsin removed EA binding completely, but only diminished EAC adherence. It is suggested that the EA pattern indicates immunoglobulin receptors on macrophage and lymphocyte surfaces: and that the EAC binding (which is stronger than EA) involves C3 and IgM receptors at extracellular sites as well as C3 receptor sites on epithelioid cell surfaces. EA and EAC binding were enhanced in borderline tuberculoid leprosy in reaction and erythema nodosum leprosum, suggesting that immunoglobulin and complement receptor sites increase in number with enhanced hypersensitivity.