The TI surface antigen (CD5,p67) expression on blood lymphocytes (PBL) and lymphoid cells from lymph node biopsies (LN) from 31 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and 79 with B non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL), was detected in 25 B-CLL (80 per cent) and in 11 B-NHL (13 per cent) belonging to the following histologic subtypes: lymphocytic of CLL type (DLWD) one case, lymphoplasmacytoid (DLWD) four cases, centrocytic (DLPD) five cases, immunoblastic (DH) one case.
All B-CLL and the T1 + B-NHL were also tested with monoclonal antibodies against the Common Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Antigen, B cells (FMC7, FMCS, BA1, Y29-55), T cells (OKT1 la), HLA-DR and HLA-DQ monomorphic determinants.
All the B-CLL and the T1+ B-NHL were CALLA-, BA1+, Y29.55'. FMC7' cells were detected in large numbers six B-CLL(three TI + and three T1 -)and in four centrocytic lymphomas. FMC8 reacted with 70 per cent of leukemias (where it stained 30 per cent of neoplastic cells) and with 8/9 TI+ B-NHL. HLA-DR and HLA-DQ molecules were detected in 100 per cent and 90 per cent of cases respectively. In vitro treatment of HLA-DQ-or T1-B-CLL with phorbol ester TPA led to the expression of these antigens as well as of the receptors for Interleukin 2 and MLR3 activation antigen. Surface membrane Ig (SIg) was detected in 79 per cent of cases, its density measured by FACS analysis varied, even markedly, from case to case. Among the B-CLL, cells with high SIg content were either T1+ or T1-and more likely FMC7'. The SIg-cases were seven B-CLL (five T I + and two TlF) and two B-NHL, in which, however, cytoplasmic IgM was detected.
This study reveals the existence of four major B-CLL subgroups: T1-SIg-, T1' SIg , T I C SIg+, T1-SIg+. It also indicates that the T1 antigen may be transitionally present during B-cell differentiation and that its expression may precede that of SIg as supported by the in vitro studies. In addition, the finding that some B-NHL are TI + suggests that they derive similarly to the B-CLL from a common progenitor.