SURFACE MARKERS IN NON-PHAGOCYTIC HAIRY CELL LEUKEMIA

Abstract

By phase contrast and scanning electron microscopy, hairy cells were demonstrated in the peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen of a patient with hairy cell leukemia. Immunofluorescent tests revealed Ig[immunoglogulin]D on the surface of 92%, IgG on 76%, IgM on 12% and albumin on 95% of the cells from the spleen. After overnight culture, IgG and albumin were detected on 4 and 6% of the cells, respectively, while the number of IgD and IgM positive cells persisted. Of the hairy cells, 52% formed rosettes with erythrocytes sensitized with IgG antibodies (EA), whereas 70% formed rosettes after trypsin and protease treatment. The hairy cells did not form rosettes with erythrocytes sensitized with IgM antibodies and complement (EAC), or with sheep and mouse erythrocytes. Cryostat sections of spleen strongly absorbed EA, whereas no absorption occurred with EAC or sheep erythrocytes. The hairy cells did not phagocytize latex particles of ingest a strain of yellow staphylococci. Hairy cells from this patient probably were of B [bone marrow-derived]-lymphocyte origin.