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Acute myelomonocytic leukemia: an immunoelectron microscopic study
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
American Journal of Hematology
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4) involves abnormal maturation of precursor cells. Ultrastructural analysis reveals leukemic cells possess both granulocytic and monocytic traits, clarifying M4 characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Acute myelomonocytic leukemia (M4) is defined by leukemic cells in both granulocytic and monocytic lineages.
- The precise characteristics of M4 remain incompletely understood.
- Normal granulocytes and monocytes can be distinguished ultrastructurally by lactoferrin and lysozyme staining.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the characteristics of M4 by examining the ultrastructural localization of lactoferrin and lysozyme.
- To compare M4 leukemic cells with those in acute myeloid leukemia (M2).
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural analysis of leukemic cells from M4 and M2.
- Double staining for lactoferrin and lysozyme to assess protein localization.
Main Results:
- Leukemic cells in M4 exhibited double stainability for lactoferrin and lysozyme.
- Positive reactions for both proteins were observed in the cytoplasmic matrix and granules.
- The staining pattern in M4 was similar to that observed in M2.
Conclusions:
- The coexistence of lactoferrin and lysozyme in M4 cells suggests they possess characteristics of both granulocytic and monocytic lineages.
- This implies M4 arises from abnormal in vivo maturation of a monocyte/granulocyte precursor cell.
- M4 is characterized by diverse, consecutive cell types resulting from malignant transformation, rather than two distinct lineages.