Expression of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-linked glycoproteins in blood cells from paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria patients: a flow cytometry study using CD55, CD58 and CD59 monoclonal antibodies.

We used CD55 and CD59 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the investigation of peripheral blood cells from sixteen patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) by flow cytometry. Mixed-field populations of erythrocytes, platelets, monocytes or granulocytes were visualized in all cases but, due to the extended half-life of unaltered erythrocytes and blood transfusions, the GPI-linked protein deficiency was more obvious for white blood cells, especially granulocytes, and platelets. In contrast, a minority of altered lymphocytes was observed in only five patients. The expression of CD55 and CD59 antigens was grossly correlated but quantitative differences were observed for patients whose cells were only partially deficient in GPI-linked proteins. Patients with PNH secondary to aplastic anaemia exhibited a significantly lower percentage of altered cells compared with "classical" PNH patients. In addition, we found that CD58 normally bound to deficient white blood cells and platelets, showing the LFA-3 molecule is expressed as a transmembrane protein in these cells.