DECREASED ACTIN CONTENT OF LYMPHOCYTES FROM PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (3) , 536-541
Abstract
Actin, a major cytoskeletal protein, was quantitated in normal and chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes. The actin content of normal human blood lymphocytes was 2.2 .+-. 0.4 mg/109 cells and represented 6.6% .+-. 1.8% of the total cellular protein. A significant decrease (P < 0.001) was noted in chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes that contained 1.4 .+-. 0.3 mg actin/109 cells, constituting 4.3% .+-. 1.1% of the total protein. Normal T and B cells did not differ in actin content. Reduced actin levels were found in the T and in the B lymphocytes of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The possible importance of the decreased actin level in the anomalous capping response and motility of chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes is discussed.