Limiting dilution analysis of the frequency of IL2 responsive T cells in lymph nodes involved by B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Total T lymphocytes separated from twelve lymph nodes involved by B-NHL were studied in limiting dilution experiments for their ability to proliferate in the presence of both R-IL2 used at a final concentration of 40 U/ml and irradiated autologous malignant B cells as feeders. The number of proliferating T-lymphocyte precursors (PTL-P) thus estimated was low in each case (mean: 1/4503; range, 1/200 to 1/11013). Once expanded, proliferation of the IL2 responsive T cells in the presence of autologous malignant B cells remained strictly dependent on the addition of exogenous IL2. Control cases consisted of T lymphocytes separated from peripheral blood of six healthy subjects and cultured in the presence of both R-IL2 (40 U/ml) and irradiated autologous total mononuclear cells as feeders; the mean frequency of PTL-P thus obtained (1/173; range, 1/49 to 1/457) was significantly higher than in malignant lymph nodes (p less than 0.01). These findings do not support the hypothesis that, in this series of patients, expansion of malignant B cells may lead to the activation and growth of T cells sensitized against the tumour.
Bonnefoix
T
T
Department of Hematology, Hôpital Albert Michallon, Grenoble, France.
Piccinni
M P
MP
Jacob
M C
MC
Pegourie
B
B
Sotto
J J
JJ
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D015448:Leukemia, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008198:Lymph Nodes; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins