CD1 expression in B-CLL cells

The peripheral blood from 38 B-CLL patients was studied by flow cytometry with 25 clustered or not clustered monoclonal antibodies (moAbs) in order to characterize the cell surface phenotype of lymphoid cells. All moAbs were chosen since they detected B or CD1-8 T cell differentiation antigens or MHC class II antigens. The results showed a heterogeneity in the leukemic cell reactivity with the various moAbs and between patients. The restricted B cell antigens recognized by BL14, Y2955 and anti-class II moAbs were constantly expressed in leukemic cells, while B-cell antigens reacting with FMC7 and BL13 moAbs were variably detected. In addition to CD5 antigens, other T cell markers including several epitopes of the CD1 group were also found to be present on the leukemic cell surface in several cases. To further extend these data, 6 cases were selected for labelling with a battery of 6 CD1a, 2 CD1b and 1 CD1c moAbs. These results suggested that CD1a,c epitopes can be detected on leukemic B cells in addition to other T cell differentiation antigens.