Ultrastructural comparison of the cell coat in normal and chronic lymphocytic leukaemic blood lymphocytes by Concanavalin A labelling and cationic staining.

The ultrastructure of the cell coat of normal and chronic lymphocytic leukaemic (CLL) blood lymphocytes has been compared by several cytochemical techniques. In CLL lymphocytes, there is no modification of Concanavalin A labelling, whereas a difference of stainability is observed with at least one of the three cationic dyes used: colloidal iron, colloidal thorium, or ruthenium red, signifying a modification of anionic reactive sites. This physico-chemical surface anomaly is discussed with regard to other biochemical and electrophoretic results given by other authors.