Abnormal T-cell functions in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia do not imply T-lymphocyte involvement in the leukemic process: report of a case with demonstrated "polyclonality" of T lymphocytes.
In a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we previously demonstrated by glucose-6-phosphate isoenzyme analysis that monoclonality was restricted to B lymphocytes. Isolated T cells expressed both isoenzymes and, therefore, were apparently not involved in the leukemic process. This report presents results of a functional analysis of the patient's T cells. Cutaneous anergy to a battery of skin tests was correlated with abnormal proliferative responses of isolated T cells to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A. The addition of sufficient numbers of autologous adherent cells restored mitogen responses to nearly normal levels. However, the patient's T cells failed to provide help for differentiation of allogeneic B cells in response to pokeweed mitogen. These data suggest that altered cellular immunity in CLL is not necessarily due to intrinsic T cell abnormalities. Reduced numbers of circulating accessory cells and/or an imbalance in T-cell subsets related to the expansion of the leukemic B-cell clone may play a significant role.
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D008875:Middle Aged; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D008934:Mitogens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D003208:Concanavalin A