T-lymphocyte subpopulations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a quantitative and functional study.
In the peripheral blood of patients with chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) absolute numbers of E-rosetting lymphocytes were increased. The proportions of TG and TM cell subsets were analyzed, as were their effects on the pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-dependent differentiation of normal allogenic B cells or of autologous leukemic cells. The TG lymphocyte subset was further studied for its cytotoxic activity in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). A marked increase both in percentages and in absolute numbers of TG cells was found. TM lymphocytes percentages were normal, but because of the T lymphocytosis occurring in all patients, the absolute numbers of TM were increased. TM and TG subsets showed helper and suppressor activity, respectively, in PWM-induced B-cell differentiation. TG cells displayed effector cell activity in ADCC. The results provide further evidence that T lymphocytes from patients with B-CLL are functionally normal. However, a noticeable increase of the T-cell subset having suppressor and cytotoxic activity in ADCC was observed. This may be the consequence of a normal immune reaction to the leukemic population.
D000368:Aged; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
D008934:Mitogens; D011961:Receptors, Fc