Relationship between different cell surface markers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 15 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and 13 normal controls were examined for the presence of surface markers: CLL antigen, surface immunoglobulins, receptors for sheep erythrocytes, receptors for the IgG Fc, C3b, C3d and receptor(s) for mouse erythrocytes. Leukemic lymphocytes were characterized by the presence of CLL antigen and a significant increase in the capacity to bind mouse erythrocytes. CLL antigen was correlated with surface immunoglobulins and receptor of IgG Fc, however, the receptor for mouse red cells was not correlated with other surface markers. Neuraminidase treatment of CLL lymphocytes significantly increased proportion of mouse erythrocyte rosettes. The routine use of mouse erythrocyte rosettes in the immunodiagnostics of B lymphoproliferative disorders is postulated.