Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL) are the most common primary skin lymphomas; which are characterized by an accumulation of malignant T cells in the skin. The early lesion resembles both clinically and histologically benign inflammatory disorders, which also presents with hyperproliferative epidermis and T cell infiltration. Despite considerable progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the malignant transformation of T cells, the causes of the morphological and histopathological features of the disease are largely unknown. We used an organotypic model of CTCL to show that malignant T cells through the secretion of galectin-1 and -3 stimulate vigorous growth of keratinocytes. In parallel, malignant T cells induce disorganized keratinocyte stratification, resembling the early hyperproliferative stage of CTCL. We also observed a loss of attachment between the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments. In addition, hyperproliferation was followed by a downregulation of differentiation markers, such as keratin 10 and involucrin, and a decrease in barrier formation. In conclusion, we provide evidence that malignant T cells orchestrate the histopathological epidermal changes seen in CTCL.Journal of Investigative Dermatology accepted article preview online, 09 July 2014; doi:10.1038/jid.2014.284.