title: Detection of CD1 positive cells in the peripheral blood of patients suffering from cancer-associated malnutrition.
abstract: The immunological phenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was assayed in a series of 22 patients suffering from severe cancer-associated malnutrition. A marked decrease of the T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) and of the CD20+ B lymphocytes occurred; there was however an increased percentage of monocytes but their absolute number was normal. Interestingly, 5% of the PBMC expressed "activated T-cell antigens". The specificity of two different monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) towards CD1 epitopes (OKT6 and D47) was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF): about 5% of CD1+ thymocytes were detected with no antigen (Ag) cross reactivity with the small subset of activated T cells. It is hypothesized that some relationship may exist between such cells and malnutrition and/or cancer.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface