title: Circulating levels of soluble CD23 reflect clinical and biological features of leukemic B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders.
abstract: One hundred and twenty-four sera from patients with various leukemic B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative diseases were investigated at diagnosis by ELISA for their soluble CD23 content. Immunophenotyping was carried out in all patients, and in a selected subset the mean number of membrane-bound CD23 molecules per cell was also investigated. Seventy-three patients had typical B chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 41 leukemic B-cell disorders with atypical morphological and/or immunophenotypic features, 5 had low-grade follicular cell lymphoma in the leukemic phase, and 5 had splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes. Soluble CD23 levels were significantly higher than in normal sera (mean +/- SD: typical B chronic lymphocytic leukemia 3,650 +/- 4,654 U/ml, atypical B chronic lymphocytic leukemia 3,440 +/- 4,671 U/ml, follicular cell lymphoma 3,200 +/- 1,511 U/ml, splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes 8,236 +/- 7,294 U/ml, controls 137 +/- 128 U/ml; P < 0.001). More advanced Rai's stages were related to higher soluble CD23 levels (P < 0.01), both in typical and atypical B chronic lymphocytic leukemias, the highest levels and the best correlation with the absolute number of circulating CD19+ cells (r = 0.50) being observed in the typical form. The number of membrane-bound CD23 molecules per cell was significantly higher in typical than in atypical B chronic lymphocytic leukemias (mean number 156,727 +/- 94,668 vs. 12,010 +/- 10,643, P < 0.001). Our data suggest that soluble CD23 levels correlate with the clinical and biological features of leukemic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Verona University School of Medicine, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vinante
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vassanelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zanotti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nadali
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krampera
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vincenzi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morosato
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chilosi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pizzolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015415:Biomarkers; D018956:CD5 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015448:Leukemia, B-Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018941:Antigens, CD19; D015415:Biomarkers; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D017455:Receptors, IgE