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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

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Flow Cytometry to Estimate Leukemia Stem Cells in Primary Acute Myeloid Leukemia and in Patient-derived-xenografts, at Diagnosis and Follow Up
Published on: March 26, 2018
[Acute promyelocytic leukemia with CD59 deficiency]
Hui Wei1, Zheng Tian, Xiao-Jing Wang
1Institute of Hematology & Blood Disease Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China.
Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi
|December 7, 2010
Summary
CD59 deficiency is more common in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) blast cells than other acute myeloid leukemia (AML) types. This CD59 downregulation in APL cells is not linked to Pig-A gene mutations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- CD59 is a complement regulatory protein protecting cells from lysis.
- Its role in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CD59 expression levels in APL blast cells.
- To determine if CD59 deficiency is specific to APL compared to other AML subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze CD59 expression on APL and non-APL AML samples.
- NB4 APL cell line was treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) to assess CD59 expression changes.
- Pig-A gene sequencing was performed to rule out mutations as a cause for CD59 deficiency.
Main Results:
- CD59 deficiency was observed in 12 out of 19 APL samples, significantly higher than in 14 out of 40 non-APL AML samples (p=0.042).
- CD59 expression normalized in patients achieving complete remission.
- CD59 expression in NB4 cells remained unchanged after ATRA-induced differentiation, and Pig-A gene mutations were not found.
Conclusions:
- CD59 deficiency is a characteristic feature of APL blast cells.
- The deficiency is likely not caused by Pig-A gene mutations.
- CD59 expression may serve as a potential biomarker in APL.

