Predominant T cell receptor V gene usage in patients with abnormal clones of B cells.
We have examined alpha/beta V gene segment usage of peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, respectively, from patients with multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, by using T cell receptor (TCR) for antigen monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). In 7 of 16 patients we found an increase in the usage of various TCR V gene segments. The expansion was confined to either the CD4+ or the CD8+ T-cell subset, except for one patient where an abnormal pattern was observed both within the CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets. In one patient 47%, and in another patient 30% of the CD8+ lymphocytes reacted with alpha V12.1 and beta V6.7 antibodies, respectively. In two other patients 29% and 40% of the CD4+ lymphocytes reacted with beta V6.7 and beta V8.1 antibodies, respectively. We conclude that T cells with a predominant V gene usage is a frequent feature in patients with abnormal clonal B cells of malignant or benign types. T- and B-cell populations are normally clonally linked in regulatory circuits. An abnormal proliferation of B cells might therefore induce, or be regulated by, an expansion of clonal T cells, as suggested by the present results.
Janson
C H
CH
Department of Immunology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Grunewald
J
J
Osterborg
A
A
DerSimonian
H
H
Brenner
M B
MB
Mellstedt
H
H
Wigzell
H
H
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell