Abstract
Objective
Describe the presence of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and type 1 interferon and the activation of interferon signaling pathway in lymphatic malformations.
Design
Retrospective case series.
Materials
Nineteen lymphatic malformations with matching clinical data were compared to control tissue (normal skin and lymph node).
Methods
Paraffin-embedded tissue was evaluated for plasmacytoid dendritic cells, type 1 interferon, and type 1 interferon signaling with immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization. Staining results were compared with controls and correlated with clinical data with descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney tests.
Results
Lymphatic malformations had increased staining for plasmacytoid dendritic cells, interferons alpha and beta, and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 compared with controls (P < 0.05). Significantly increased interferon beta staining was present in recurrent lymphatic malformation tissue compared with nonrecurrent lymphatic malformations.
Conclusion
Lymphatic malformations have unusual ongoing local immune activation, possibly affecting recurrence.
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