Evidence That Large Granular Lymphocytes From B-CLL Patients With Hypogammaglobulinemia Down-regulate B-Cell Immunoglobulin Synthesis

B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLI) patients frequently suffer from moderate to severe hypogammaglobulinemia. This complication is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in this disorder. There is recent evidence that natural killer (NK) cells modulate B-cell immunoglobin (Ig) synthesis/secretion. The authors therefore evaluated the circulating NK cells from B-CLL patients on their ability to regulate mitogen-induced B-cell Ig synthesis. Blood. NK cells (CD1 6. CD3) from three B-CLL patients with hypo-M ORBIDITY and mortality from hypogammaglobu-linemia is noted in many B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients. ” Clearly further understanding of the mechanism that results in this serious complication is necessary. Decreased serum Ig levels in B-CLL is believed to occur primarily through an expanding malignant B-cel