Imbalance of T cell subpopulations in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia of the B cell type.
T cell enriched mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood of 20 patients with histologically and immunologically defined chronic lymphocytic leukaemia of the B cell type (B-CLL) and 20 healthy individuals of various ages were investigated with T cell-specific monoclonal antibodies (OKT 4 and OKT 8) with regard to their subpopulation distribution. In B-CLL, a significant increase of lymphocytes reacting with OKT 8 could be demonstrated. Whereas there was a ratio of OKT 4 to OKT 8 of 1 X 72 in the control group, an OKT 4 to OKT 8 ratio of 0 X 67 was found in the B-CLL as a whole. With increasing clinical stage in accordance with the Rai scheme (Rai et al., 1975), a further displacement of this ratio in favour of OKT 8 positive cells was found. These results clearly show that, in peripheral blood of patients with B-CLL, an abnormal distribution pattern of circulating T cell subpopulations is present and that this also has prognostic relevance.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010641:Phenotype; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell