T and B lymphocyte antigen-positive null cell leukemias.
To clarify the nature of null cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) we tested null lymphoblasts and other leukemic cells for human T and B lymphocyte antigens detected by reciprocally absorbed rabbit antisera prepared against autologous T and B lymphoblast cell lines HSB-2 and SB. Blasts from 4 of 4 patients with T cell leukemia and from 2 of 10 patients with null cell leukemia expressed T cell but not B cell antigens. Blasts from 8 of 10 patients with null cell leukemia, one patient with B cell leukemia, and 3 of 3 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia expressed B cell but not T cell antigens. T lymphocyte antigen-positive null cell ALL appear to be a form of T cell ALL. B antigen-positive null cell leukemia could arise from either immature B cell precursors or from multipotential stem cells.
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007223:Infant; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D000939:Epitopes