Characteristics of CD11c+CD5+ chronic B-cell leukemias and the identification of novel peripheral blood B-cell subsets with chronic lymphoid leukemia immunophenotypes.

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated that chronic lymphocytic leukemias (CLL) are characterized by the coexpression of CD5 and B-cell antigens, while hairy cell leukemias (HCL) typically express CD11c+CD5- B-cell immunophenotypes. In this report we describe the features of B-cell leukemias with CD11c+CD5+ immunophenotypes and the identification of novel circulating B-cell subsets defined by the expression of CD20, CD5, and CD11c antigens. Morphologic evaluation of 14CD11c+CD5+ B-cell leukemias showed that they generally had larger cellular diameters (14 to 21 microns) and lower nuclear:cytoplasm ratios than typical small lymphocyte CLL. These cases did not exhibit the well-defined nucleoli characteristic of prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL). The presenting clinical features of CD11c+CD5+ B-cell leukemias were most consistent with CLL or PLL, and none of the evaluated cases had pancytopenia, splenomegaly, and cytoplasmic villi characteristic of HCL. Examination of normal peripheral blood (n = 6) by three-color flow cytometry identified four novel B-cell subsets with the following immunophenotypes (mean percent of total CD20+ B cells +/- SE): CD20+CD5+CD11c+ (8.0 +/- 1.6); CD20+CD5-CD11c+ (12.0 +/- 2.0); CD20+CD5+CD11c- (35.0 +/- 4.9); and CD20+CD5-CD11c- (44.0 +/- 5.0). Our findings suggest that CD11c+CD5+ B-cell leukemias with atypical morphologic features represent forms of CLL or PLL rather than HCL. In addition, we have identified novel subsets of circulating B cells defined by patterns of CD20, CD5, and CD11c expression that correspond to the immunophenotypes of chronic B-cell leukemias.

• Authors: S B Wormsley, S M Baird, N Gadol, K R Rai, R E Sobol
• Journal: Blood (Blood) Vol. 76 Issue 1 Pg. 123-30 (Jul 01 1990) ISSN: 0006-4971 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1694698 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD20
• Antigens, Differentiation
• Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
• CD5 Antigens
• Integrin alphaXbeta2
• Receptors, Leukocyte-Adhesion

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antigens, CD20
• Antigens, Differentiation (immunology)
• Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte (immunology)
• B-Lymphocytes (cytology, immunology, pathology)
• CD5 Antigens
• Cell Division
• Female
• Humans
• Integrin alphaXbeta2
• Leukemia, Hairy Cell (immunology, pathology)
• Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell (genetics, immunology, pathology)
• Leukemia, Prolymphocytic (immunology, pathology)
• Lymphocyte Activation (immunology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phenotype
• Receptors, Leukocyte-Adhesion (immunology)