CD8 positive T-cell infiltration in the dentate nucleus of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration

Abstract

Recent reports have discussed the presence of cytotoxic T cells in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD). We report an autopsy case of PCD associated with anti-Hu antibody, in which we revealed infiltration of CD8+ T cells in and around the dentate nucleus but not in the cerebellar cortex, in addition to severe Purkinje cell loss. Some infiltrated mononuclear cells expressed cytotoxic cell marker, Granzyme B. Decrease of neurons and reduced presynapses were demonstrated in the dentate nucleus. This is the first report that suggests the possibility of the dentate nucleus being primarily attacked followed by Purkinje cell loss in PCD.