Rearrangement and expression of T-cell receptor genes in large granular lymphocyte leukemia.
Ten patients with large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia were studied for rearrangement and expression of T cell receptor (TCR) genes. Eight patients with CD3+ LGL proliferation had unique TCR beta-gene rearrangements, supporting a clonal process. Each of five patients studied with CD3+ disease had evidence for expression of full-length TCR alpha-, beta-, and gamma-gene transcripts. In contrast, patients with CD3- LGL proliferation had no evidence for rearrangement or expression of TCR genes. These studies suggest that leukemic LGL arise from two different cell origins. Leukemic LGL may be a useful model for studying natural killer (NK) cell (CD3- LGL) and non-MHC-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CD3+ LGL) activation and differentiation.
Loughran
T P
TP
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98104.
Starkebaum
G
G
Aprile
J A
JA
D004247:DNA; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000235:genetics*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D004247:DNA