Membrane expression of IL-1 alpha in chronic B lymphocytic leukemia.
Patients with B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) demonstrate a high variability in disease activity, from a benign monoclonal lymphocytosis to a rapidly fatal condition. Progressive B-CLL is related to a high expression of different growth factor receptors on the leukemic cells and to a high proliferative in vitro response to Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan 1 (SAC). As the expression of membrane IL-1 alpha (mIL-1 alpha) indicates B lymphocyte activation, we have investigated mIL-1 alpha on cells from patients at different stages of the disease. Total cellular levels of IL-1 alpha were measured by flow cytometry of permeabilized cells and compared with CD5, CD19, CD25 and IgM expression on the cell surface. mIL-1 alpha is upregulated, both in leukemic and normal lymphocytes, in response to sIgM cross-linking with SAC or phorbol ester activation. A significantly higher expression of mIL-1 alpha was found in cells from patients with a clinically benign form of the disease.
Aguilar-Santelises
M
M
Department of Immunology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Mellstedt
H
H
Jondal
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007375:Interleukin-1