Function of lymphocyte subpopulations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Activity in the allogeneic and autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction

Abstract

Lymphocyte subpopulations from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and from normal age-matched controls were evaluated for their ability to participate in allogeneic and autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). Unfractionated and T enriched lymphocyte populations from normal age-matched controls responded well to allogeneic stimulation. T enriched lymphocytes from patients will CLL also responded to allogeneic lymphocytes. B enriched lymphocytes from normal age-matched individuals produced a stronger stimulus in the allogeneic MLR than did unfractionated mononuclear cell populations. Unfractionated and B enriched lymphocyte subpopulations from patients with CLL were poor stimulators in the allogeneic MLR. In normal age-matched controls T enriched lymphocyte subpopulations were able to respond to autologous B enriched lymphocytes. Autologous mixed lymphocyte cultures from patients with CLL failed to demonstrate any activity.

B Lymphocyte Function in B Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

“…A retrospective analysis revealed that this was also the case for the patients in our earlier study (Wolos & Davey, 1980). In all cases in which a proliferative response was observed, the kinetics of the cultures composed of CLL B cells were identical to those observed with normal B cells.…”

“…The patients whose lymphocytes stimulated allogeneic cells the best had relatively low peripheral lymphocyte counts, while the patients whose cells stimulated poorly had high peripheral lymphocyte counts. A retrospective analysis revealed that this was also the case for the patients in our earlier study (Wolos & Davey, 1980). Schweitzer et a1 (1973) have suggested that a small percentage of residual B lymphocytes stimulated allogeneic cells normally and that the CLL B cells were non-stimulatory.…”

“…Lymphocyte mediated lysis was measured by the 5'Cr release assay which has been previously described (Wolos & Davey, 1980). In vitro sensitization and target cell preparation occurred according to the method of Sonde1 et a1 (1975).…”

Cell volumes of normal and malignant mononuclear cells.

“…The purity of the T and non-T cell populations is similar with both techniques. [24][25][26] In a preliminary study, the use of Tris-NH4Cl was shown not to affect the volume of lymphocytes. The volume of peripheral blood lymphocytes from two individuals was measured before and after incubation with Tris-NH4Cl and the results showed no significant difference (p > 0-5).…”

Association of HLA‐DR antigens with the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction

“…The AMLR has been found to be depressed in a variety of immunodeficiency states, autoimmune diseases and lymphoproliferative disorders (Engleman et al 1980, Wolos & Davey 1980, Zamkoff et al 1982, James et al 1980, Miyasaka et al 1980, Sakane et al 1978. In some disease states, the depressed AMLR is due to an abnormality in T cells, in others a defect in B cells and still others a deficient function of macrophages .…”