title: CD3+, CD4-, CD8- large granular T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder.
abstract: Large granular T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (LGTLD) is a heterogeneous disorder covering a broad spectrum of diseases and requiring further subdivision. Most reported cases emphasized its suppressor phenotype (T gamma cell or CD8+), but we encountered two cases of CD3+, CD4-, CD8- LGTLD. Both cases had a benign clinical course and required no chemotherapy despite persistent lymphocytosis. This unique phenotype has been reported in a few cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia expressing the T-cell receptor (TcR) gamma chain gene and is considered the counterpart of thymocytes at the intermediate stage between early precursors and mature thymocytes. Our case 1 provides further evidence that the CD3+, CD4-, CD8- phenotype, indeed, expresses the TcR gamma chain gene. However, the negative reaction to terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in our case 1 indicates that this phenotype represents proliferation of peripheral T-cells, in which about 2% bear the CD3+, CD4-, CD8- phenotype in the normal population. The selective use of CD3, CD4, CD8, HNK-1 monoclonal antibodies and of cytochemical stains (acid phosphatase and alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase) for characterization of this disorder is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratories, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koduru
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cuomo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henshall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015333:Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell