Capping of lymphocytes for carrier detection in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: technical problems and a review of the literature.

There has been considerable interest in capping of lymphocytes in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, the results from different authors are controversial. We have investigated cap formation in thirteen families with DMD, using a method standardized in our laboratory, and could establish diminished capping in all 12 patients and in 12 of the 13 mothers. By examining cap formation simultaneously with whole polyvalent antiserum, with F(ab)2 fragment of polyvalent antiserum, and with monospecific antisera we could also confirm this observation of defective capping in 7 patients and 4 carriers, as compared to 9 control subjects likewise examined. We have indications that treatment of the lymphocytes under unfavourable conditions e.g. preincubation in buffer solution might accentuate the decrease of lymphocyte capping in patients and carriers.