Imbalance of T-cell subpopulations does not result in defective helper function in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
The T-lymphocyte subpopulations identified by the Fc receptors for IgG (TG cells) and IgM (TM cells) in 12 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were quantitated and studied for functional capabilities in an in vitro assay. The TG cells in patients were elevated in relation to age- and sex-matched normal controls (P less than 0.05) resulting in an altered TM/TG ratio of 1.8 +/- 0.76 in CLL versus 5.9 +/- 3.7 in controls (mean +/- SD, P less than 0.001). Despite this altered of B cells was found to be normal as reflected by the mean helper-suppressor score of 0.77 +/- 0.13 (+/- SEM) obtained for both patients and controls. This unimpaired capacity of the T cells from CLL patients to help normal B cells mature into immunoglobulin-secreting cells indicated that hypogammaglobulinemia and monoclonal serum immunoglobulins in these patients may be a result of either an intrinsic defect in the B lymphocytes or their replacement by a neoplastic clone rather than a defect in the immunoregulatory T cells.
D000368:Aged; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M