title: Immunophenotypic analysis of hematogones (B-lymphocyte precursors) and neoplastic lymphoblasts by 4-color flow cytometry.
abstract: Hematogones are identified by 4-color flow cytometry in most bone marrow specimens. They are more commonly found and are generally present in higher numbers in children. There is a general decline in hematogones with increasing age but a broad range exists at all ages and marrow from some adults contains relatively high numbers. They are often increased (> 5%) in regenerating marrow and in some clinical conditions, particularly various types of cytopenias and neoplastic diseases. Hematogones may morphologically resemble the neoplastic lymphoblasts of precursor B ALL and their immunophenotype also has features in common with neoplastic lymphoblasts. Distinguishing hematogones from neoplastic lymphoblasts may be problematic in post-chemotherapy and post-bone marrow transplant regenerating marrow. With 4-color flow cytometry using optimal antibody combinations the distinction can nearly always be made. Hematogone populations always exhibit a continuous and complete maturation spectrum of antigen expression typical of the normal evolution of B-lineage precursors; they lack aberrant or asynchronous antigen expression. The neoplastic lymphoblasts in precursor B ALL deviate from the normal B-lineage maturation spectrum and exhibit maturation arrest and over-, under-, and asynchronous expression of antigens observed on normal B-cell precursors and they often aberrantly express myeloid-associated antigens.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Pathology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75390-9072, USA. Robert.McKenna@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: Sheryl L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Asplund
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kroft
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000276:immunology