Comparative expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens on CD5 + and CD5 − B cells in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

• Published in: European journal of cancer (1990) Vol. 34; no. 10; pp. 1618 - 1622
• Main Authors: Nouri, A.M.E, Smith, S, Newland, A.C, Macey, M.G
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-09-1998; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antigens, Neoplasm - immunology; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; CD5 Antigens - immunology; CLL; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - immunology; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - immunology; Humans; immune system; leukaemia; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell - immunology; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Major Histocompatibility Complex - immunology; Medical sciences; MHC antigens; immune system; leukaemia; CLL; MHC antigens; Human; Flow cytometry; HLA-System; Immune response; Immunocytochemistry; Major histocompatibility system; Class II histocompatibility antigen; Malignant hemopathy; B-Lymphocyte; Carcinogenesis; Pathology; Chronic; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Lymphoproliferative syndrome; Class I histocompatibility antigen; Immune system
• ISSN: 0959-8049; 1879-0852
• DOI: 10.1016/S0959-8049(98)00158-0

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens on CD5
+ and CD5
− B cells of 13 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). This was carried out using a series of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against polymorphic and monomorphic class I and class II antigens, as well as to the transferrin receptor and assessed by flow cytometry and direct and indirect immunofluorescence. The expression of these molecules was assessed as mean fluorescent intensity (MFI). The results showed that cells from all 13 individuals expressed monomorphic class I antigens. The number of cases expressing polymorphic HLA-Bw6, -Bw4, -B7, -B27 and -A2 class I antigens on CD5
− B cells was 11 (85%), 6(46%), 2(15%), 1(8%), 3 (23%), respectively, which was consistent with the expected population frequency distributions of these antigens. For each of the class I antigens on CD5
+ and CD5
− B cells, the ratio of the MFI was greater than 1 in 12 of 13 cases. For the transferrin receptor (CD71), this ratio was also almost always greater than 1. These results indicate that, unlike solid tumours where the loss or abnormal expression of class I and II antigens is a frequent event, the expression of class I antigens in CLL patients seems to be normal. This indicates that the loss of these antigens cannot provide the leukaemic cells with a selective advantage to escape immunological detection.