Distribution of complement receptors on human normal and malignant
mononuclear cells
RB Slease, JE Gadek, MM Frank and I Scher
Mononuclear cells from normal human subjects and patients with chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic lymphosarcoma cell leukemia (LCL), and
hairy cell leukemia (HCL) were labeled with fluoresceinated, purified human
C3b (FI-C3b) and analyzed using the fluorescence- activated cell sorter
(FACS). FI-C3b labeled 17.6% +/- 6.0% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells
(PBM) from 20 normal subjects, which, when separated by the FACS, consisted
of B lymphocytes and approximately 5% monocytes. Analyses in which either
monocytes or B lymphcoytes were excluded from consideration demonstrated
that both these cell types were labeled by the FI-C3b with a heterogeneous
distribution of fluorescence intensity, indicating either heterogeneity of
CR density or variable avidity of individual CR for the FI-C3b. FACS
profiles of PBM ( < 5% monocytes) from 14 of 15 patients with CLL showed
a homogeneous distribution of very low fluorescence intensity, with >
60% of the cells being slightly more fluorescent than unlabeled controls.
This low, homogeneous distribution of fluorescence is strikingly similar to
profiles of CLL cells labeled with anti-Ig reagents and suggests
homogeneity of low CR density and/or avidity. Similarly, CR+ mononuclear
cells from five patients with HCL and three patients with LCL displayed
more homogeneous FI-C3b labeling than normal CR+ PBM. Homogeneity of FI-C3b
binding to CLL, LCL, and HCL cells further supports the concept for a
clonal origin for these disorders.
Volume 56,
Issue 5,
pp. 792-797,
11/01/1980
Copyright © 1980 by The American Society of Hematology
