[Lymphocyte subsets analysis and glycosylphosphatidylinositol determination in patients with PNH].
OBJECTIVE
Absolute number of lymphocyte subsets and the proportion of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-deficient clones among T, B and NK cells were determined.


METHODS
By using multicolor flow cytometry with two and three color labelled monoclonal antibodies, absolute number of lymphocyte subsets and the proportion of CD(48), CD(55), CD(59)-deficient T, B and NK cells were analyzed.


RESULTS
Lymphocyte subsets were found abnormal in all patients, low absolute number of natural killer cells and B cells were obvious. In most patients, GPI-deficient T, B and NK cells were detectable. The proportion of GPI-deficient clones in T, B and NK cells were 78.7%, 53.4% and 30.5%, respectively. There was significant difference among T, B and NK cells (P < 0.01). In two continuous remission cases, no GPI-deficient clones were found in erythrocytes, but there were GPI-deficient T and B cells, and in a 3 year remission there were still GPI-deficient NK cells.


CONCLUSIONS
In PNH, similar to other blood cells, lymphocytes also had GPI deficiency, and GPI-deficient T and B cells could exist for a long time. NK cells of PNH patients are the predominant, GPI-deficiency cells with a high frequency (93.3%) and high proportion (78.7%).
Zhang
J
J
First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325003, China.
Shen
Z
Z
Wu
J
J
Jiang
S
S
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000071178:CD48 Antigen; D018957:CD59 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / Q000378:metabolism*; D006457:Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000071178:CD48 Antigen; D018957:CD59 Antigens; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens