The application of immunological surface marker techniques to the characterization of lymphoproliferative disorders

Abstract

This preliminary communication describes our experience with immunological surface marker techniques as applied to the study of lymphoproliferative disorders. Lymphocytes obtained from fresh biopsy specimens from 22 cases of malignant lymphoma, 27 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and from 13 normal subjects or patients with non-neoplastic lymphadenopathy were investigated. Immunoglobulin of the cell surface was used to identify B cells, and T cells were recognized by their ability to form rosettes with sheep erthrocytes. The presence of immunoglobulin on the cell surfaces indicated that 15 of 18 lymphocytic lymphomas were B cell proliferations, whereas the cells from 2 histiocytic lymphomas and a case of granulocytic sarcoma were devoid of surface immunoglobulin. In immunoglobulin-positive tumours, one predominant heavy chain and one predominant light chain could usually be identified, thus establishing the monotype nature of the neoplastic proliferation. Frozen tissue sections stained for immunoglobulin also confirmed the monotypic origin of nodular lymphomas. All cases of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia showed surface immunoglobulin but in contrast to the strong immunofluorescence of B cell lymphomas, the lymphocytes of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were only faintly fluorescent. These cells were further distinguished by their ability to produce rosettes with mouse erythrocytes. Normal and reactive lymph nodes were composed predominantly of T lymphocytes, as was tissue from 4 cases of Hodgkin's disease.