Detection of cALLA Positive Cells in the Human Normal Peripheral Blood by Microimmunofluorometry and their Fate during Cultivation in Diffusion Chambers

Abstract

A very sensitive measuring device for immunofluorescence and a new evaluation method were applied to detect the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (cALLA) on individual cells from normal peripheral blood. Using a monoclonal and a polyclonal antiserum, a small percent (.apprx. 10%) of cells was shown to carry this antigen. In double-labeling experiments these cALLA positive cells were shown not to carry surface Ig, and very little T-antigen, if any. During a 13-d [day] cultivation of normal mononuclear blood cells in diffusion chambers, the cALLA positive cells disappeared but could be detected again on day 13 at a frequency comparable to that before culture. Proliferation is discussed as the mechanism accounting for the reappearance of the cALLA-positive cells, perhaps due to the influence of the T-helper cells generated during culture.