title: Cytochemistry of acid hydrolases in chronic B- and T-cell leukemias.
abstract: Four acid hydrolases, acid phosphatase (AP), alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), beta-glucuronidase, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, were determined cytochemically in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 50 patients with B and T chronic lymphocytic and prolymphocytic leukemias (CLL, PLL) and related disorders. Strong positive reactions were characteristic of the T-cell leukemias while the reactions were weak or negative in B-CLL and B-PLL. Differences in the cytochemical profile of T-CLL and T-PLL were noted. In both, beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase were positive; these enzymes are therefore good cytochemical markers of the chronic T-cell leukemias. AP and ANAE gave different results according to the disease process; AP was strong in T-CLL and variable in T-PLL, while ANAE was strongly positive in T-PLL, but weak or negative in T-CLL. The findings in T-CLL, a proliferation of T gamma lymphocytes, were similar to those of normal T gamma cells. In T-PLL, the findings did not relate to the membrane phenotype as defined by monoclonal antibodies.
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000032:analysis; D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000378:metabolism*; D009283:Naphthol AS D Esterase / Q000032:analysis; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D006867:Hydrolases; D009283:Naphthol AS D Esterase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D005966:Glucuronidase; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase