title: Heterogeneity of non-T, non-B acute lymphocytic leukemia defined by the quantitative expression of Ia and common all antigens.
abstract: The Ia antigens and the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigens (CALLA) accessible on the cell surface were quantitated in newly diagnosed patients with non-T, non-B ALL using monoclonal antibodies and a cellular radioimmunoassay. The levels of both antigens expressed in molecules of RAM-Fc bound per cell exhibited a wide range of variation amongst patients. Ia levels, measured with monoclonal antibody 21w4 which recognizes a monomorphic epitope of human Ia molecules, were between 5.0 X 10(4) and 87 X 10(4) molecules per cell in 37 patients. CALLA levels measured with BA-3 or J-5 antibody varied from 3.4 X 10(4) to 22 X 10(4) molecules per cell in 13 patients. In 12/13 cases for which Ia and CALLA were quantitated simultaneously, the amount of Ia was found to be higher than that of CALLA. A positive correlation (p less than 0.02) between the levels of these two antigens was observed suggesting that ALL cells with the highest levels of Ia also had the highest levels of CALLA. In addition, our results suggest a possible correlation (0.05 less than p less than 0.1) between the amount of Ia expressed on the leukemic cells and the white blood cell count of the patient at the time of diagnosis. The data indicate that non-T, non-B ALL are heterogeneous with respect to their expression of Ia and CALLA antigens. A longitudinal study of non-T, non-B ALL patients will allow us to assess if the levels of Ia and CALLA at diagnosis are correlated with prognosis of the disease in these patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007700:Kinetics; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology*; D008215:Lymphocytes, Null / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D015260:Neprilysin; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D015260:Neprilysin