Different surface glycoprotein patterns on human T-, B- and leukemic-lymphocytes

We have labelled the exposed surface glycoproteins of human blood T- and B-lymphocytes and cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia by the galactose oxidase-tritiated sodium borohydride method. The labelled glycoproteins were separated by polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis and visualized by autoradiography. The T- and B-lymphocytes show different and characteristic surface glycoprotein patterns. The surface glycoprotein patterns of the leukemic cells differ from those of normal, non-malignant lymphocytes. A relationship between the altered surface glycoprotein pattern of leukemic cells and the expression of leukemia-associated antigens is discussed.