CCR10 is expressed in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma

Abstract Cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) is characterized by recruitment of malignant T‐cell clones into the skin. The mechanisms involved in tumor homing are still not fully elucidated, though chemokines and chemokine receptors have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis. Here, we demonstrate extensive expression of CCR10 in skin biopsies of patients with Sézary syndrome (SS, n = 3), mycosis fungoides (MF, n = 2) and unspecified CTCL ( n = 3). In addition, we expand prior findings of CXCR3 expression in MF to other entities of CTCL. Expression of CCR5 was detected in 2 of the examined skin biopsies. The functionality of CCR10 and CXCR3 in SS was demonstrated using the SS T‐cell line HUT78. Our data support a potential role of CXCR3 in CTCL and strongly suggest that CCR10 and its ligand CCL27 may contribute to the skin infiltration of malignant T‐cells in this group of lymphoproliferative disorders. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.