Peripheral blood T lymphocytes in patients with monoclonal gammopathies: expanded subsets as depicted by capacity to bind to autologous monoclonal immunoglobulins or reactivity with anti-V gene-restricted antibodies.
The presence of T cells binding F(ab')2 fragments of the idiotypic immunoglobulin was examined by immunofluorescence in peripheral blood of patients with monoclonal gammopathy. In 3 out of 11 tested patients, 1-15% idiotype-binding T cells of either CD4 or CD8 phenotype were found. In 1 patient both a CD4+ and a CD8+ idiotype-binding T-cell fraction were present. In 1 patient the idiotype-binding T cells also reacted with a mAb directed against the variable parts of the TCR alpha or beta chains, further indicating a clonal origin at the alpha/beta level. 3 patients had an expanded predominant T-cell receptor V gene usage based on the reactivity with the limited panel of TCR mAb, but these "clonal" T cells did not bind the idiotype. The study supports the existence of idiotype-specific T cells in peripheral blood of patients with monoclonal gammopathy. Such cells might have a regulatory role on the monoclonal B-cell clone and may be an important target for immunotherapy.
Department of Oncology (Radiumhemmet), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
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A
Osterborg
C H
CH
Janson
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S
Bergenbrant
G
G
Holm
A K
AK
Lefvert
H
H
Wigzell
H
H
Mellstedt
D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D012016:Reference Values; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate