The B‐Lymphocyte Nature of the Hairy Cell of Leukaemic Reticuloendotheliosis

Abstract

S ummary . Functional studies were performed on the ‘hairy’ cells of five cases of leukaemic reticuloendotheliosis (LRE) to see whether they behaved as histiocytes or lymphocytes. The ‘hairy’ cells were less active than normal or leukaemic monocytes in respect of adhesion to glass, transformation to macrophages and phagocytosis and killing of Candida ; they also lacked IgG and C 3 receptors for immune phagocytosis. Surface‐bound immunoglobulins were demonstrated in a high proportion of ‘hairy’ cells; and they did not form rosettes with sheep red cells. Similar results were obtained with the lymphocytes of chronic lymphocytic and prolymphocytic leukaemia. In addition, the majority of the ‘hairy’ cells in one case were found to have C 3 receptors for immune complexes. The ‘hairy’ cells of three patients did not respond to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) but, in another case, half the cells transformed normally with PHA. It is concluded that the ‘hairy’ cell is of lymphocytic origin (resembling B lymphocytes) and that LRE should be included within the lymphoproliferative disorders and differentiated from histiocytic‐cell disorders.