TdT-positive and TdT-negative human leukemic cells: specific density and morphology

Adv Exp Med Biol. 1982:145:357-70. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4684-8929-3_29.

Abstract

Peripheral blood cells from 9 E- and 6 D+ SIg- ALL patients and from 11 CML patients in TdT+ blastic crisis were subjected to discontinuous albumin gradient separation according to Dicke's method, and TdT assayed in the six fractions recovered therefrom. The major results were: (i) in E- ALL and in CML-BC, TdT+ cells could be recovered either within a narrow range of specific densities or were spread over most of the gradient, which might suggest differences in cell maturation among the patients; (ii) in some instances, most leukemic blasts were found in TdT-negative or faintly positive fractions; (iii) in most, but not all, E- All and BC, the majority of TdT+ cells was found in low density fractions; (iv) all E+ ALL had high density TdT+ cells. Cell Fractions of most patients were also examined at the electron microscope, and correlations between morphology and marker characterization were tentatively drawn.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Separation
  • DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase / metabolism*
  • DNA Nucleotidyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / enzymology*
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / ultrastructure
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / pathology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / ultrastructure*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / enzymology*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / ultrastructure
  • Leukocytes / enzymology
  • Microscopy, Electron

Substances

  • DNA Nucleotidyltransferases
  • DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase