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Coexpression of T‐ and B‐markers in a lymphoproliferative disorder
Author(s) -
Miguel J. F. San,
Foroni L.,
González M.,
Cañizo M. C.,
Salazar J.,
Rios A.,
Matutes E.,
Catovsky D.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1600-0609
pISSN - 0036-553X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1986.tb01765.x
Subject(s) - biology , antigen , microbiology and biotechnology , antibody , population , gene rearrangement , b cell , bone marrow , immunology , gene , medicine , genetics , environmental health
An atypical case of lymhoproliferative disorder in which T‐ and B‐cell antigens were coexpressed in the neoplastic cells is described. The disease was characterised by hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopaty, a low WBC (5 × 10 9 /1) and bone marrow infiltration. The predominant cell population (> 70%) comprised lymphoid cells with a range of nuclear irregularities and included some blast cells. 90% of the peripheral blood lymphocytes showed a mature T‐helper phenotype (E+, T11+, T3+, T4+, T8 ‐ , T6 ‐ , TdT ‐ ) with coexpression of the specific B‐markers Bl and FMC7, in 90% and 50% of cells, respectively. HLA‐DR antigens were present in 55% of cells while surface and cytoplasmic immunoglobulins (Ig) were detected in < 10% of cells. Molecular investigations with appropiate probes showed evidence of T‐cell receptor gene rearrangement but no rearrangement for the genes of the Ig‐heavy and ‐ light chains. Cytogenetic studies revealed a translocation t(10;19) (p12; q13) in all the metaphases analyzed. This case demonstrates that the study of neoplastic cells with a battery of monoclonal antibodies may disclose the existence of a hitherto unrecognised lymphoid cell population with atypical expression of B‐ and T‐cell antigens. On the other hand, the presence of T‐cell receptor gene rearrangement indicates that this is a T‐cell disorder with the aberrant co‐expression of specific B‐cell markers.