Detection of surface immunoglobulins of human lymphoid cells: a comparative study of live and fixed cells using a direct immunoperoxidase procedure

Surface immunoglobulins (Ig) of normal and malignant lymphoid cells were detected on prefixed, smeared (method A) and live (method B) cell suspensions; the results were compared with regard to staining patterns, specificity and sensitivity. In both methods surface Ig were detected by a direct immunoperoxidase procedure using conjugated purified antibody. Although method A has practical advantages, method B is more sensitive. The reasons for this discrepancy are discussed in relation to surface Ig denaturation and redistribution.