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Published on: October 23, 2019
Lipid composition of human lymphocytes in patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia and with blocked T cell activity
H Smyth1, A Corrigan1, R O'Kennedy1
1Department of Biochemistry, University College, Dublin.
Insights
Cholesterol and lipid levels in lymphocytes differ in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and with blocked T cell activity. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia showed lower lipid parameters, while blocked T cells had increased total lipids.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lymphocytes play a crucial role in immune responses.
- Alterations in lymphocyte lipid metabolism are associated with various diseases.
- Understanding lymphocyte lipid profiles can provide insights into cellular function and disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare lipid profiles in peripheral lymphocytes from normal subjects, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and individuals with blocked T cell activity.
- To examine the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid in different lymphocyte populations.
- To assess the effect of the proteolytic enzyme brinase on lymphocyte lipid parameters.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cholesterol, lipid phosphorus, and total lipid content in peripheral lymphocytes.
- Comparison of lipid parameters between normal subjects, CLL patients, and patients with blocked T cell activity.
- Analysis of lymphocytes from human tonsils.
- In vitro exposure of lymphocytes to the enzyme brinase.
Main Results:
- Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia exhibited significantly lower levels of cholesterol, lipid phosphorus, and total lipid compared to normal subjects.
- Lymphocytes from patients with blocked T cell activity showed a significant increase in total lipid content.
- The ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid remained within normal limits in both patient groups.
- Human tonsil lymphocytes displayed a lower cholesterol/phospholipid ratio than normal circulating lymphocytes.
- Brinase treatment did not affect the measured lipid parameters in any tested cell type.
Conclusions:
- Lymphocyte lipid composition is altered in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and in conditions with blocked T cell activity.
- The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio may not be a sensitive indicator of these specific lymphocyte alterations.
- Tonsil lymphocytes have a distinct lipid profile compared to circulating lymphocytes.
- The proteolytic enzyme brinase does not appear to modulate lymphocyte lipid parameters under the tested conditions.
Abstract:
Cholesterol, lipid phosphorus and total lipid were analysed in peripheral lymphocytes from normal subjects, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and patients with blocked T cell activity. In chronic lymphocytic leukaemia all 3 parameters were significantly lower than normal. In the blocked group lymphocyte total lipid was significantly increased. Ratios of cholesterol/phospholipid were within normal limits in both groups of patients. Lymphocytes from human tonsils were also analysed and had a lower ratio cholesterol/phospholipid than normal circulating lymphocytes. Exposure to the proteolytic enzyme brinase did not alter lipid parameters in any of the cell types tested.
