Related Experiment Videos
Immunoreactive lactoferrin in resting, activated, and neoplastic lymphocytes
T W Butler1, C E Grossi, A Canessa
1Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Leukemia Research
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Lactoferrin (Lf) is mainly found on the surface of B-lymphocytes, particularly in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Its presence on lymphocytes may increase during B-cell maturation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding protein with immunomodulatory functions.
- Its presence and role on lymphocyte surfaces require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and localization of lactoferrin (Lf) on human lymphocytes.
- To determine if Lf expression varies across different lymphocyte subsets and conditions.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to detect surface and intracellular Lf.
- Analysis included various lymphocyte populations, including B-cells, T-cells, and specific leukemia/lymphoma cell lines.
Main Results:
- Surface Lf was predominantly detected on B-cell-enriched preparations.
- B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) lymphocytes showed the highest surface Lf positivity.
- Few T-lymphocytes expressed Lf, and its expression was stable over time and unaffected by exogenous Lf.
- Surface Lf positivity was independent of cell cycle and most other surface antigens.
Conclusions:
- Lactoferrin is primarily associated with the surface of B-lymphocytes.
- Increased Lf expression may occur during specific stages of B-cell maturation.
- Lf may play a role in B-lymphocyte function and differentiation.