Cytoskeleton organization of normal and neoplastic lymphocytes and lymphoid cell lines of T and B origin

Br J Haematol. 1988 Apr;68(4):405-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1988.tb04226.x.

Abstract

An anomalous organization of the cytoskeleton has been described in lymphocytes from chronic lymphatic leukaemia and in only few cell lines. We have now studied normal and neoplastic lymphocytes and lymphoid cell lines of both T and B lineage in order to detect morphological differences in the expression of microfilaments and intermediate filaments. Microfilaments appear to be well expressed by all the B cells, whereas a rich network of intermediate filaments is present in T cells and plasma cells. Most prominent changes occur in the latter system, which is almost lacking in cells of B chronic lymphatic and hairy cell leukaemia. Although the significance of the present findings is not yet clear, one might speculate that such alterations account for some of the aberrant functions and peculiar biologic properties of neoplastic lymphocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure
  • Actins / analysis
  • B-Lymphocytes / analysis
  • B-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure
  • Child
  • Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Intermediate Filaments / ultrastructure
  • Leukemia / blood
  • Leukemia / pathology*
  • Lymphocytes / analysis
  • Lymphocytes / ultrastructure*
  • T-Lymphocytes / analysis
  • T-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure
  • Vimentin / analysis

Substances

  • Actins
  • Vimentin