IgG4-related skin disease successfully treated by thalidomide: a report of 2 cases with emphasis on pathological aspects.

Abstract

In IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), skin involvement is rare and associated especially with systemic disease. We report 2 cases of isolated skin IgG4-RD successfully treated with thalidomide and investigated their phenotypic characteristics. Two men had cephalic nodules. Skin biopsies revealed dense lymphocytic infiltrates with numerous plasma cells and fibrosis. IgG4-RD was confirmed by very high IgG4+ to IgG+ plasma cells ratios of 76% (patient 1) and 100% (patient 2). The serum IgG4 level was normal. There was no other organ involvement. Thalidomide therapy was introduced. After 6 months, lesions were in remission. Patient 1 required long-term, low-dose thalidomide, whereas patient 2 stopped treatment and showed no relapse. Immunostaining revealed numerous FoxP3+ cells in the interfollicular areas, which decreased with treatment in patient 2, and numerous follicular helper T lymphocytes (TFH) within the follicular germinal centers. There were numerous mast cells; some stained for interleukin (IL)-6, and expression of phospho-Smad2/3 was demonstrated. IgG4-RD may be skin limited. Cutaneous infiltrates comprise numerous FoxP3+ cells that may interact with mast cells to produce IL-6 and stimulate fibrosis synthesis via the transforming growth factor β/phospho-Smad2/3 pathway. The role of TFH cells remains to be studied. IgG4-RD should be added to the causes of cutaneous pseudolymphomas. Thalidomide could be considered as a therapeutic option in IgG4-RD.