ISSN:
1432-0584
Keywords:
Acute lymphatic leukaemia
;
T cell antigen
;
E-receptor
;
C3-receptor
;
Acute undifferentiated leukaemia
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The lymphoblasts from 100 patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia were investigated for the expression of receptors for sheep erythrocytes (E) and of a specific heterologous T cell antigen (T). In 17 cases, both T cell markers were expressed simultaneously on the leukaemic cells. In 13 cases only T antigens could be demonstrated on the lymphoblasts. A quantitative analysis of T antigens by immunoautoradiography revealed that the T expression of E−T+-lymphoblasts was in general like that of E+T+-lymphocytes in the blood of normal persons, in several cases even higher. Therefore, the failure of E-rosette formation cannot be correlated to a decrease of the other T cell differentiation marker. In 7 out of 9 tested cases, a strong acid phosphatase reaction product located paranuclearly could be demonstrated. Complement-receptors were expressed in 3 of 5 cases which were also demonstrated in some cases of the E+T+-ALL group. The latter group was characterized by a T antigen expression like that of thymocytes. 4 cases of the E−T+ALL group were adults. Since the leukaemia cells of 2 cases were negative for acid phosphatase, PAS and all surface markers including cALL antigen, the T antigen can classify undifferentiated and otherwise unclassificable leukaemias. The clinical significance of the E−T+-ALL seems to be important since 5 out of 9 children with this type of ALL died soon after diagnosis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01000595
Permalink
