Restoration of "normal" membrane function in CLL cells by patients' serum

Direct labelling of cell surface protein with 125I has enabled measurements to be made of lymphocyte membrane turnover. In CLL cells this is evidently much retarded in comparison with normal lymphocytes and it was thought that slow replacement of cell surface proteins might be responsible both for lack of membrane mobility and poor immunological responses. Serum from CLL patients has been found to enhance viability of the leukaemic cells in culture and the interaction of these serum factors with the CLL cell membrane gives rise to rapid replacement of surface proteins. Thus the rate of membrane turnover in vivo would be comparable with that of normal lymphocytes. Lack of cell-surface mobility and poor membrane biosynthesis can not be held responsible for poor immunological activity in vivo and it is suggested that autoimmune antibodies binding to the surface of CLL cells may spatially inhibit activation by ligands.