A method for the detection of multiple surface antigens on small heterogeneous cell populations.

A technic using fluorescent immunospheres was developed to identify simultaneously two surface antigens on individual lymphocytes while preserving Wright's stained cell morphology. Small numbers (10,000-20,000) of cells were studied from peripheral blood or bone marrow samples from normal control subjects and from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Samples were studied for surface antigens using OKT-11, OK-Ia-1, B1, and J5. Comparison was made with results obtained from the same patients by indirect immunofluorescence. Correlation between results obtained with immunospheres and indirect immunofluorescence was excellent (r = 0.97). In addition, 35 cerebrospinal fluid samples from children with ALL were tested using the immunosphere method alone. Results obtained with spinal fluid lymphocytes agreed with previously reported results using similar methodology. It is concluded that the use of fluorescent microspheres provides a method for the combined evaluation of cell morphology and surface antigens on small, heterogeneous cell populations.