Role of autologous lymph node T cells in membrane expression of mu- or gamma-heavy chain isotype by malignant B NHL cells

Eur J Haematol. 1989 Oct;43(4):303-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1989.tb00303.x.

Abstract

We investigated the possibility that T cells observed in lymph nodes involved by B-non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (B-NHL) may have a direct role in the expression of Mu- or Gamma- heavy chain isotype by autologous malignant B cells. T cells were separated from lymph nodes involved by B-NHL cells expressing either surface IgM (19 cases) or surface IgG (4 cases) and compared to peripheral blood T lymphocytes of healthy subjects (19 cases) for their ability to promote both IgG and IgM secretion in Cowan-activated normal B lymphocytes. The mean values of IgG/IgM ratios obtained under the influence of T cells associated with malignant B cells expressing either surface IgM or surface IgG were not statistically different to that obtained with the help of control T cells (0.60 and 0.62 versus 0.47, respectively). These results do not account for the hypothesis that autologous lymph node T cells may directly affect the expression of the heavy chain isotype by malignant B-NHL cells.

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / metabolism*
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains / metabolism*
  • Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / immunology*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphokines / physiology
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes
  • Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains
  • Immunoglobulin mu-Chains
  • Lymphokines
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell