title: Heterogeneity of clonal lymphocytes with regard to bcl-2 protein concentration and cell size.
abstract: The existence of subpopulations of clonal lymphocytes in patients with low grade lymphoproliferative disorders, with regard to both cell size and bcl-2 protein concentration is reported. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the lymphocytes with higher levels of bcl-2 corresponded to a subset of larger lymphocytes. Statistical analysis suggested that the increased concentration of bcl-2 was not accounted for by the increase in cell size and it is possible that these cells form a functionally distinct component of the clonal proliferation. One patient, analysed in greater detail during treatment with a purine analogue, showed the subpopulations to exhibit a differential sensitivity to chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust, UK.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Bromidge
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rule
mesh_terms: D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000032:analysis; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002469:Cell Separation; D048429:Cell Size; D017338:Cladribine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017338:Cladribine