Analysis of T-Cell Receptor α/β Variability in Lymphocytes Infiltrating a Melanoma Metastasis

Multiple experimental and clinical studies have suggested that the immune system may, to some extent, control the development of melanomas. The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes could reflect an in situ immune reaction directed to the malignant cells. The characterization of T-cell receptor (TCR) expressed by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is one way to precisely analyze these local T-cell responses. In this study, we have assessed the TCR α/β variability in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from a subcutaneous metastasis of a melanoma patient. Using the anchored-polymerase chain reaction 268 TCR α and 266 TCR β chain transcripts have been cloned and sequenced. Their analysis shows that the T-cell infiltrate is extremely diverse, with no preferential TCR gene segment usage.