Demonstration and partial characterization of chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocyte-associated antigens by crossed immunoelectrophoresis of Triton X-100 extracts.

Crossed immunoelectrophoresis was used to study the antigens of chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes. A reference pattern was obtained and 20 samples from 18 patients were compared with this pattern. Extensive variation in the expression of individual antigens was observed. The antigens in the reference pattern were further characterized by modifications of crossed immunoelectrophoresis, viz. labelling of intact lymphocytes by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination, affinity crossed immunoelectrophoresis with phenyl-Sepharose and Lentil lectin-Sepharose, charge-shift crossed immunoelectrophoresis and postelectrophoretic incubation in (125I) Lentil lectin. Six antigens were identified as surface membrane glycoproteins, 5 as cytoplasmic proteins while 5 could not be classified. Two antigens were finally identified as HLA-ABC and HLA-DR by application of small amounts of monospecific rabbit antiserum and monoclonal antibody, respectively.