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Plasminogen‐dependent fibrinolytic activity in normal human lymphocytes: Diminished lymphocyte plasminogen activator in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Author(s) -
Zucker Stanley,
Mehling Karen,
Rai Kanti
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830190408
Subject(s) - chronic lymphocytic leukemia , lymphocyte , plasmin , plasminogen activator , fibrinolysis , leukemia , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biology , medicine , biochemistry , enzyme
Discrepancies in correlations between fibrinolytic activity and metastatic potential of malignant cells has resulted in speculation on the putative role of plasminogen activators (PA) in cancer. In this report we have compared lymphocyte PA from 40 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to normal human B‐ and T‐ lymphocytes. Lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll‐Hypaque centrifugation. The B‐ and T‐cells were further separated on nylon wool columns. Cell PA activity and cell membrane PA were determined using 3 H‐fibrin‐coated plates with added human plasminogen. Lymphocytes did not lyse 3 H‐fibrin in the absence of plasminogen. Plasminogen‐dependent fibrinolytic activities of normal B‐ and T‐ lymphocytes were comparable. The addition of protease inhibitors with trypsin or plasmin specificity to lymphocytes significantly inhibited normal PA, thus substantiating the serine protease spectrum of lymphocyte PA. Examination of lymphocytes from > 95% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed a marked decrease in lymphocyte and cell membrane PA as compared to normals. No correlation between Stage of CLL and lymphocyte PA was observed. Likewise, an inhibitor of PA in CLL lymphocytes was not detected. The function of PA in normal B‐ lymphocyte physiology and the potential pathogenetic role of diminished PA in CLL lymphocytes remain to be explored.