T-CELL SUB-POPULATIONS IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA - ABNORMALITIES IN DISTRIBUTION AND IN INVITRO RECEPTOR MATURATION

Abstract

Purified human thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes were analyzed by detection of Fc receptors for Ig[immunoglobulin]G or IgM in healthy controls and in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). There was a significant and persistent increase in the numbers of T cells bearing receptors for IgG (Fc.gamma.) in CLL patients compared to the controls. After an in vitro culture period, there was a significantly decreased appearance of cells with IgM receptors (Fc.mu.) in CLL patients compared to the control group. An imbalance in circulating T cell subpopulations for CLL patients was indicated. An in vitro defect in CLL T cell membrane receptor appearance is apparently present.