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Phorbol ester‐induced production of beta‐2‐microglobulin in B‐CLL cells: relation to IgM secretory response and disease activity
Author(s) -
Tötterman Thomas H.,
Nilsson Kenneth,
Simonsson Bengt
Publication year - 1986
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.1365-2141.1986.tb02904.x
Subject(s) - beta 2 microglobulin , in vitro , secretion , cell culture , immunology , monoclonal antibody , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , chemistry , biology , antibody , biochemistry , genetics
S ummary . Earlier studies have indicated that serum β 2 m levels correlate with the disease activity, estimated tumour cell mass and prognosis of CLL. We have therefore analysed the spontaneous and phorbol ester (TPA)‐induced capacity of CLL cells to produce β 2 m in vitro in relation to disease activity. Cell cultures (>90% B cells) from 15 patients with active disease contained significantly higher ( P <0·001) levels of β 2 m (0·22·0±09 mg/l) than cultures from 17 patients with inactive CLL (0·08·0±06). When TPA‐induced CLL cell cultures were compared, this difference was even more striking (0·48·0±18 versus 0·13·0±09). The capacity of TPA‐treated B‐CLL cells to export β 2 m was positively correlated with their capacity to secrete monoclonal IgM ( r =0·73; P <0·001). Cell depletion experiments showed that the β 2 m export by B‐CLL cells is enhanced by accessory T cells. Four individual CLL patients were followed for 14 months and repeatedly investigated for signs and symptoms of active disease, and the CLL cells were tested for in vitro production of β 2 m. Fluctuations in the clinical activity of the leukaemia were paralleled by similar switches in CLL cell production of β 2 m.