Characterization of a peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site on human circulating lymphocytes

Binding studies conducted with [3H]Ro 5-4864, a specific ligand for peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors, on circulating lymphocytes from 5 normal volunteers provided evidence for a single, saturable (Bmax 12.2 +/- 3.6 fmol/10(6) cells), and high affinity (KD 7.1 +/- 2.0 nM) specific binding site. We were unable to detect any GABA receptor, suggesting that human lymphocytes bear a peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site not coupled with the GABA system. Results on lymphocytes from chronic lymphocytic leukemics are also reported.