Cytochemistry of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase in normal and leukemic T cells

A cytochemical study of the N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NABG) activity in normal and leukemic T cells was carried out to ascertain any relationships between cytochemical reactivity and membrane phenotype. Under normal conditions, most T4-positive cells, defined on the basis of monoclonal antibodies and immunogold, were characterized by focal reactivity. In chronic T lymphoproliferative disorders, the reaction product of T4-positive cells consisted of a single coarse granule, while T8-positive cells demonstrated many scattered granules. In all cases of acute T cell malignancies, lymphoblasts were positive with a single coarse granule or many coarse and small granules located at one pole of the cell.