RECEPTORS FOR HELIX-POMATIA A-HEMAGGLUTININ ON LEUKEMIC LYMPHOCYTES FROM PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (CLL)

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 26  (2) , 196-203
Abstract
Blood lymphocytes from 13 patients with CLL were studied for surface-bound Ig [immunoglobulin] (SIg), Fc receptors (EA [bovine erythrocyte, antibody] rosettes), receptors for sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes) and receptors for H. pomatia A hemagglutinin (HP), a carbohydrate-binding protein with specificity for N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and related sugars. Fluorescein-labeled HP binds to subpopulations of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) treated with [Clostridium perfringens] neuraminidase. In normal peripheral blood, HP binds to T[thymus-derived]-lymphocytes, while the majority of the B [bone marrow-derived] cells bearing surface-bound Ig do not have receptors for HP. In untreated CLL, HP binds to 90-100% of the neuraminidase-treated PBL. Almost all of the SIg-positive cells in CLL patients also have receptors for HP. Two groups of patients were found. In 1, the total fraction of SIg+ cells was .ltoreq. 50%, and about 30% of these lost their Ig during incubation at 37.degree. C. No such loss of SIg was revealed in the remaining patients where total SIg+ fraction was .apprxeq. 70%. These patients usually had higher blood lymphocyte counts, probably reflecting a more advanced disease. CLL patients in remission with low numbers of leukemic cells also had low numbers of blood lymphocytes carrying SIg and HP-receptors. Leukemic cells carry HP receptors and SIg. Testing of this combination provides a valuable new tool for monitoring patients with CLL.