EVIDENCE FOR A CHANGE IN EXPRESSION OF BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN-ASSOCIATED MEMBRANE STRUCTURES ON LEUKEMIC HUMAN CELLS

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (2) , 269-275
Abstract
Cell-associated and serum .beta.2-microglobulin was estimated in 7 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The amount of cell-associated .beta.2-microglobulin was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), due to a decrease in the fraction of .beta.2-microglobulin that passes unretarded through a concanavalin A affinity column (presumably non-HLA-associated .beta.2-microglobulin). Serum concentrations of .beta.2-microglobulin were increased, but no correlation was found between the decrease in cell-associated .beta.2-microglobulin and the increase in serum .beta.2-microglobulin. All of the .beta.2-microglobulin from leukemic serum was eluted corresponding to a MW of 11,800 and none of it was retarded on a concanavalin A affinity column. The decrease in cell-associated .beta.2-microglobulin might reflect a change in the qualitative or quantitative expression of .beta.2-microglobulin-associated membrane structures on the leukemic cells, perhaps conferring resistance to the cells against hypothetical immunological host defense mechanisms.