Heterogeneity of CLL: high CD23 antigen and αIFN receptor expression are features of favourable disease and of cell activation

Abstract

The relationship between alpha-interferon receptor (alpha IFNR) numbers, B-cell-antigen expression and clinical stage was determined in 35 cases of typical chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). alpha IFNR numbers were shown to be low in patients with advanced disease and high in those with a more favourable prognosis. The B-cell activation antigen CD 23 was similarly related to stage, being high in more favourable disease. Also, alpha IFNR expression was directly related to CD 23 positivity, but alpha IFN binding was not inhibited by CD 23 monoclonal antibody. There was no correlation between CD 19, 20, 22 and 24 antigen expression and either alpha IFNR numbers or clinical stage. Since CD23 antigen expression is a feature of B-cell activation, we suggest that high CD23 and alpha IFNR positivity are manifestations of an activated cell phenotype and that cell activation in CLL is a feature of favourable disease.