HLA class I- like antigen expression on human leukemic cells.
The expression of HLA class I- like molecules was analyzed on human acute and chronic leukemic cells. The presence on leukemic cells of class I- like molecules, absent on the patient's normal lymphocytes, was examined by complement- dependent lymphocytotoxicity using platelet absorbed alloantisera that recognize HLA-linked, 45-12 kd, beta-2-microglobulin associated molecules, selectively expressed on PHA-activated cells. A positive reactivity of the anti- class I- like alloantisera was found in 50% of the acute leukemias (cALL, T-ALL and AML), independently of the lineage of differentiation, while chronic lymphocytic leukemias (B-CLL) were constantly negative. It is suggested that beta-2-microglobulin associated HLA molecules may represent markers of leukemic blast activation and/or maturation state.
D000328:Adult; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D006800:Deltaretrovirus Infections; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000235:genetics*; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000235:genetics; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation
D006680:HLA Antigens