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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Isolation of Double Negative αβ T Cells from the Kidney
Published on: May 16, 2014
[Double-negative αβ T lymphocytes: What are the etiological considerations?]
Paul Dalmas1, Clara Fontenaille1, Sylvie Cointe2
1Département de médecine interne, hôpital de la Timone, AP-HM, Aix-Marseille université, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13005 Marseille, France.
Introduction:
Double-negative T lymphocytes with αβ TCR (CD3+CD4-CD8-TCRαβ+) are a population of T cells present in low proportions in the blood under normal conditions. They can be abnormally elevated in various pathological situations.
Case Report:
A 64-year-old female patient was hospitalized due to a general deterioration of health. Laboratory tests revealed a monoclonal proliferation of double-negative αβ T lymphocytes, representing 28% of T cells (219/mm3). A thoraco-abdomino-pelvic CT scan revealed two suspicious intrahepatic masses, multiple enlarged lymph nodes, and peritoneal nodules. These lesions were hypermetabolic on 18FDG PET scan. A biopsy of the hepatic masses showed histological features consistent with cholangiocarcinoma.
Conclusion:
We report a case illustrating how the investigation of a proliferation of double-negative αβ T lymphocytes led to the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. Although a direct link between the two cannot be proven, we hypothesize that tumor antigenic stimulation selected a T lymphocyte clone.
