Sensitive detection technique of myeloperoxidase precursor protein by flow cytometry with monoclonal antibodies

This report describes the analysis of culture cells and blast cells separated from the heparinized bone marrow and whole blood of patients with acute leukemias by means of a density-gradient technique (Ficoll-sodium metrizoate d = 1.077 g/cm3). Cell-surface antigens were analyzed by a fluorescence-activated cell sorter using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The blast cells and culture cells were fixed by 3% paraformaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline. A low level of expression of MPO precursor protein was found in THP-1. K-562 and HEL, MEG-01, erythro-megakaryocytic leukemia cell lines, Jurkat, MOLT-3, MOLT-4, RPM18402, ATL-5, T-cell leukemia cell lines, Raji, Daudi. BALL-1, B-cell leukemia cell lines, and AGNK1 showed negative reaction. The de novo MPO-negative acute leukemias, middle level of expression of MPO precursor protein, was found in the blasts of MPO-negative AML (AML, M0), which coexpressed CD13, CD33, CD34, and CD38. A high level of expression of MPO protein was found in all cases of AML, M1, and M2. The MPO expression was not found in all cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The highest level of MPO expression was found in cases of AML, M3, and AML, M3v, suggesting the diagnostic value for this type of leukemia. The detection of MPO precursor protein by flow cytometric analysis with monoclonal antibodies is essential for the determination of lineage and precise diagnosis of acute unclassifiable leukemia, and should contribute substantially to the development of an effective form of therapy and cure.