title: Immunologic characterization of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.
abstract: Immunologic characterization of the neoplastic cells in the circulation of patients with CLL suggests these cells show significant differences in membrane characteristics from normal B lymphocytes. Although the leukemic cells bear a homogenous membrane-associated immunoglobulin, they also react with an anti-human T cell serum. In all patients studied, 60-90% of the cells, were stained by this antiserum. This suggests that the leukemic cells share antigenic determinants with T lymphocytes. CLL cells, unlike normal B cells, showed a marked increase in mouse-complement receptors. No increase in receptors for guinea pig complement was observed in the leukemic cells. The population of SIg-bearing lymphocytes was significantly greater than that of complement-receptor bearing lymphocytes. The total number of E-rosetting cells was increased in all CLL patients. Mitogenic responses of the leukemic cells were depressed and delayed. These results suggest that neoplastic lymphocytes cannot be classified as T- or B-derived on the basis of criteria used to define normal lymphocytes.
mesh_terms: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000494:pharmacology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001665:Binding Sites; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D008934:Mitogens; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D003165:Complement System Proteins