Patients with a deficiency of natural killer cell activity lack the VEP13-positive lymphocyte subpopulation

摘要: Many patients with B-type chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) exhibit a profound defect in their natural killer (NK) cell activity, the basis of which is still obscure. Hence, we analyzed NK cells from peripheral blood samples 11 CLL for phenotype and function, after removal leukemic monoclonal antibody (BA-1) plus complement. Phenotypic analysis these nonleukemic antibodies (MoAbs) against revealed that had higher percentages HNK-1-positive (23.5% compared to controls 14.7%). In contrast, VEP13- positive were absent or low seven (0.8% 11.2%) normal four (10.5%). When testing activities K562 MOLT 4 target cells, no minimal numbers VEP13-positive found be deficient, while activity comparable controls. Isolation by fluorescence-activated sorter lacking indicated majority large granular lymphocyte morphology characteristic cells. Thus, deficiency appears result absence carrying VEP13 marker.