Lymphocyte subpopulations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Relation to the activity of the disease.
The blood lymphocytosis in CLL is caused mainly by a rise of immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing leukemic lymphocytes. Most cells carry Fc-receptors, while the percentage with receptors for human complement is very low with the present technique. The leukemic lymphocytes carry only one of the light chain types, which suggests a monoclonal origin. CLL patients with lymphocytes expressing kappa light chains may have a more benign disease than lambda-CLL. T-lymphocyte levels are high during the early course of the disease but decrease with its progression and are low in patients with "active" disease.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D007128:Immunoglobulin Fragments; D003165:Complement System Proteins