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T‐cell function in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Author(s) -
Whelan C. A.,
Willoughby R.,
McCann S. R.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1982.tb01896.x
Subject(s) - concanavalin a , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , medicine , chronic lymphocytic leukemia , pathogenesis , clinical significance , t cell , immunology , microgram , gastroenterology , abnormality , cell , pathology , biology , leukemia , immune system , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics , psychiatry
S ummary . Fifteen patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) were studied. The diagnosis was made by a combination of clinical findings, peripheral blood morphology and cell surface markers. The Rai clinical staging (Rai et al , 1975) was used to classify all patients. Serum immunoglobulins, B and T cell lymphocytes, T G and T M cell populations were evaluated in all patients before commencing treatment. No correlation was found between clinical staging and the presence or absence of hypogammaglobulinaemia. The ratios of T G to T M cells were abnormal in all patients and this abnormality paralleled the stage of the disease. While there was a significant difference in the proliferative responses of highly purified T cells from patients and controls at 1 μg and 2 μg/ml of Concanavalin A (Con A) (P values = P < 0.005 and P < 0.01 respectively). There was no significant difference at dose 5 μg/ml. The ability of T cells to suppress allogeneic PBMC responses to Con A was dependent on T cell purification procedures. The significance of the results and the possible role of T cells in the pathogenesis of CLL is discussed.