Heterogeneity in a lymphoid tumor: coexpression of T and B surface markers
RW Schroff and KA Foon
Heterogeneity of leukemic cells was defined in a case of lymphoma. Four
phenotypically distinct subpopulations of leukemic cells were identified.
One subpopulation was observed to simultaneously express B- and T-cell
characteristics. B-cell characteristics included monoclonal IgM (lambda)
surface immunoglobulin, HLA-DR antigens, and expression of the B-cell
antigen identified by the BA-1 monoclonal antibody. T-cell characteristics
included E-rosette formation, expression of the pan-T- associated antigens
recognized by the Leu-1 and OKT-11 monoclonal antibodies, and expression of
the suppressor cytotoxic T-cell- associated antigen recognized by the Leu-2
and OKT-8 monoclonal antibodies. In addition to this subpopulation, three
other phenotypically distinct subpopulations were identified, two of which
expressed monoclonal IgM (lambda) surface immunoglobulin. The results of
this investigation indicates that three phenotypically distinct lymphoid
subpopulations bearing B-cell characteristics, and probably a fourth T-cell
subgroup, were derived from a common lineage. These findings suggest that
the malignancy involved a lymphoid progenitor cell that may possess diverse
maturational capacity.
Volume 60,
Issue 2,
pp. 373-380,
08/01/1982
Copyright © 1982 by The American Society of Hematology
