A gamma delta+ T-cell leukemia bearing a novel t(8;14)(q24;q11) translocation demonstrates spontaneous in vitro natural killer-like activity.
A highly malignant human T-cell leukemia was identified by cell surface analysis as a member of the T-cell receptor (TCR) gamma delta lineage. Cytogenetic and molecular analysis showed a novel t(8;14)(q24;q11) rearrangement involving the J delta 1 gene segment on chromosome 14 and the distal end of chromosome 8 near the c-myc proto-oncogene locus. The gamma delta TCR of the leukemia blasts was functionally intact and could be activated to generate intracellular calcium flux and to target Fc receptor-mediated redirected tumor cell lysis. In addition, non-major histocompatibility complex restricted lysis of a limited target cell panel was shown by fresh leukemic blasts and by the in vitro-maintained leukemia cells that was comparable to known T-cell lines with natural killer-like activity. These data suggest that the T-cell leukemia potentially had in vivo functional cytolytic activity. However, whether this activity did contribute to the patient's clinical condition could not be determined.
Maziarz
R T
RT
Division of Hematology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
Arceci
R J
RJ
Bernstein
S C
SC
Frazier
L
L
Smith
B R
BR
Kasai
M
M
Tantravahi
R
R
Strominger
J L
JL
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D002883:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14; D002898:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D015458:Leukemia, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D015703:Antigens, CD; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta