Scanning and transmission electronmicroscopy of leukemic lymphoma cells without T- and B-cell surface markers

The lymphoma cells from a patient with leukemia lymphoblastic sarcoma (Kiel classification) were observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. These cells were also examined by E, EA, EAC rosette-formation tests and by the indirect immunofluorescence technique for surface immunoglobulins. The malignant cells showed failure of rosette-formation or absence of surface immunoglobulins. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that many uniform protrusions were present on the cell surfaces. These surface protrusions were different from those seen on E-or EAC-rosette-forming cells. Ultrastructurally, the malignant cells were characterized by long profiles of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum with regular, narrow cisternae which radiated from Golgi area to the periphery of cytoplasm. These appearances differed from those observed in T-or B-lymphoma cells.