title: Immunological characterization of lymphoproliferative disorders by membrane markers.
abstract: The characterization of lymphocyte subpopulations by means of surface markers improved our understanding of the immunopathology of lymphoproliferative disorders. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia an accumulation of B-lymphocytes have been documented. The antibody deficiency syndrome in these patients might well reflect a maturation defect of the leukemic B-lymphocytes. In patients with Hodgkin's disease the relative number of B- and T-lymphocytes in the blood was not markedly altered in comparison to normal controls. An increased proliferation primarily of T-lymphocytes however, might suggest their accelerated turnover as an indication of the host response. In most patients with "Non-Hodgkin" lymphomas high numbers of B-lymphocytes were found in affected lymph nodes, and these appear occasionally in the peripheral blood. Differences in immunopathological manifestations of the various subgroups of the "Non-Hodgkin" lymphomas are emphasized and the rare occurrence of lymphomas of T-lymphocytes (mainly observed in lymphoblastic lymphomas and in Sézary syndrome) is discussed. Immunopathological alterations in immunocytomas and the myelomas are considered in respect to the involvement of B-lymphocytes at different stages of maturation.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology*; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell