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Erythrocyte-rosette receptor expression by chronic lymphocytic leukemia B lymphocytes
European Journal of Immunology
|August 1, 1983
Summary
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells can form erythrocyte (E) rosettes, especially after culture. This finding may explain discrepancies when identifying T cells in B-CLL patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a lymphoid malignancy.
- Erythrocyte (E) rosette formation is a characteristic often associated with T lymphocytes.
- Investigating E-rosette formation in B-CLL can clarify cell surface marker expression and potential T cell contamination in studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of leukemic lymphocytes in B-CLL patients to form E rosettes.
- To characterize the phenotype of E-rosette forming cells in B-CLL.
- To explore factors influencing E-rosette formation in B-CLL cells.
Main Methods:
- Erythrocyte (E) rosette formation assay using fresh and cultured leukemic lymphocytes.
- Immunofluorescence staining for T cell antigens and E receptor.
- Mitogen stimulation (phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen) and neuraminidase treatment.
- Inhibition studies using a monoclonal antibody to the E receptor.
Main Results:
- A small percentage of fresh B-CLL cells formed E rosettes in some patients.
- Most cultured B-CLL lymphocytes readily formed E rosettes, enhanced by mitogens and neuraminidase.
- These E+ B-CLL cells generally lacked T cell antigens but showed weak reactivity with an E receptor antibody.
- E-rosette receptor expression in culture depended on initial E-rosetting cells.
Conclusions:
- Leukemic lymphocytes in B-CLL can express E-rosette receptors, particularly after in vitro culture.
- This phenomenon may lead to misidentification of T cells in B-CLL studies.
- The findings highlight the plasticity of cell surface marker expression in B-CLL.