The ultrastructural morphology of T lymphocytes in B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: a study with monoclonal antibodies and the immunogold technique

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Abstract
T-lymphocytes from 5 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) were analyzed by light microscopy (LM) and EM by means of the immunogold technique with monoclonal antibodies combined with E [erythrocyte] rosettes. LM analysis confirmed the existence of a population of E+ lymphocytes unreactive with the OKT3 monoclonal antibody. The EM study showed that E+ lymphocytes from B-CLL can be distinguished morphologically from the leukemic B-cells which were identified by their labeling with FMC4 (anti HLA-Dr). Within the E+ fraction, 2 cell types were seen which differed both in reactivity with OKT3 and ultrastructural morphology. T3+ lymphocytes are similar to normal T3+, T4+ cells: they have high nucleocytoplasmic (N/C) ratio and few cytoplasmic organelles. Their reactivity with OKT3 is considerably weaker than that of normal T3+ lymphocytes. T3- (E+) lymphocytes are characterized by low N/C ratio, active Golgi, lysosomal granules and parallel tubular arrays. These cells resemble normal T.gamma. lymphocytes which comprise cells with the membrane phenotypes: T3+, T8+, M1- and T3-, T8-, M1+. These results provide further evidence for a T-cell imbalance in B-CLL and help define better the cellular basis for this abnormality.