Concanvalin-A-binding proteins on the surface of human malignant and normal lymphocytes

The concanavalin-A-binding cell surface glycoproteins from normal and certain leukaemic human lymphocytes were radiolabelled and then solubilized with detergent, isolated by affinity chromatography on Con A insolubilized on agarose beads, and subsequently analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Leukaemic T cells from patients with Sezary syndrome were found to express major concanavalin-A-binding glycoproteins on their outer surface similar to those of normal T lymphocytes. Leukaemic B cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia expressed Con-A-binding proteins similar to those of B-cell lines. HLA antigens were predominant among the major Con-A-binding proteins on the surface of the normal and the malignant T cells studied. Human Ia-like antigens, HLA antigens, and the cell surface immunoglobulins IgD and IgM represented the major Con-A-binding proteins on the B cells studied. beta 2-microglobulin was found associated with HLA antigens on both leukaemic and non-leukaemic T and B cells. The presence of additional Con-A-binding proteins expressed on the surface of the different cell types studied is discussed along with some physical characteristics of the human Ia-like antigens isolated.