The distribution of CD45R, CD29 and CD45RO (UCHL1) antigens in mature CD4 positive T-cell leukaemias.
We have studied the expression of antigens characterizing functional T-cell subsets in 32 CD4+ mature T-cell leukaemias. In this analysis we used two monoclonal antibodies (McAb) of the CD45R group (2H4 and GRT22) which have been shown to identify the 'native/virgin' T-cell population that functions as 'suppressor-inducer' cells in vitro, and two McAb, CD29 (4B4) and CD45RO (UCHL1), which characterize non-identical 'memory' cells that proliferate in response to soluble recall antigens and provide help in antigen-specific IgG synthesis. Four groups of CD4+ cases were identified according to this reactivity: (a) 15 CD45R+, CD29+; (b) 13 CD45R-, CD29+; (c) three CD45R-, CD29-; and (d) one case only CD45+, CD29-. The high incidence of coexpression of CD45R and CD29 (47% of cases) is a new finding which contrasts with the mutual exclusion of these antigens on normal CD4+ T-lymphocytes. There was no correlation between subset phenotypes and pathological disease entities. None of the six cases of adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL), which is known as a disorder of activated 'suppressor-inducer' cells, had the 'expected' CD45R+, CD29- phenotype. Reactivity with UCHL1 showed a good correlation with CD29 in the CD45R- CD29+ cases which included three with ATLL. These results may help in the further characterization of T-cell malignancies according to functional subgroups and may clarify further the role of T-differentiation antigens in health and disease.
Worner
I
I
Academic Department of Haematology and Cytogenetics, Royal Marsden Hospital, London.
Matutes
E
E
Beverley
P C
PC
Catovsky
D
D
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000276:immunology*; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology; D015463:Leukemia, Prolymphocytic / Q000276:immunology; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D012751:Sezary Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015704:CD4 Antigens