A further characterization of B-CLL lymphocytes: phenotypic and functional studies.

The CLL-B lymphocytes are characterized by the surface expression of B cell markers (CD19, CD20, HLA-DR) and of a low intensity IgM. The presence of T antigens (CD5, CD1) may be related either to the activation stage of these cells, either to their origin from a distinct B subset. In contrast, the detection of B5, CD25, CD71 and CD38 activation markers clearly demonstrated that the B-CLL lymphocyte is a preactivated or activated cell, at various phases of the cellular cycle. Functional studies revealed that B-CLL lymphocytes are susceptible to the effects of several interleukins (BCGF(s), IL2, IFN alpha). The inhibition of the response to IL2 by IL4 has important implications for the potential use of cytokines in the management of B-CLL patients.