Cytochemical markers of murine leukemias and lymphomas

Seven transplantable leukemias and lymphomas which occurred in NZB mice were characterized immunologically and cytologically as B-cell type of L66-, 2709-, 2769- find S77-lines, and T-cell type of TH17-, TH90- and S29-lines. These were also studied with enzyme histochemistry in tissue sections. All B-cell tumors revealed strong activities of ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase and one expressed A1Pase activity on the cell surface. Two thymic lymphomas (TH17- and TH90-lines) and one T-cell leukemia (S29-line) showed negative reactions of ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase but positive activities of AcPase and non-specific esterase localized in their cytoplasms. A1Pase activity was expressed in TH90-lymphoma but not in TH17- and S29-lymphomas. A1Pase recognized in L66- and TH90-lymphomas showed similar reaction to those of Nagao's isoenzyme. The splenic follicles of normal NZB mice reacted to ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase in B-cell area (primary follicles) and to AcPase and non-specific esterase in T-cell area (PALS) with the localized reaction. Data suggest that four enzymes of ATPase, 5'-nucleotidase, AcPase and non-specific esterase are useful for the differentiation of B- and T-cells and their malignant counterparts.