Abstract
THE co-existence of normal and abnormal cell populations in the peripheral blood of leukaemic patients may explain the variations in the reactivity to mitogens (discussed by Ling1). One example is the low or delayed response of cells from chronic lymphocytic leukaemic (CLL) patients to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) in comparison with normal cells. The variations presumably result from a combination of the response of the underlying normal population to mitogens and the different responses (inhibition, no effect or stimulation) of the abnormal cells. Analysis of abnormal cell populations and their interactions, together with the study of serum factors, is hindered by the heterogeneity of leukaemic cell suspensions. We have now investigated the differential survival of leukaemic and normal cells from leukaemic blood following freezing and thawing using controlled cooling conditions. Previously we established the cooling rate at which normal human peripheral lymphocytes are recovered optimally using dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) as a protective additive2,3. Lymphocytes activated by mitogen or specific antigen before freezing required different cooling rates for optimal recovery. We show here that cooling rates both faster and slower than those required for the recovery of normal lymphocytes permit the differential survival of abnormal cells from leukaemic blood and that this technique may clarify the study of serum factors.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ling, N. R., Lymphocyte Stimulation (North Holland, Amsterdam, 1968).
Knight, S. C., Farrant, J., and Morris, G. J., Nature new Biol., 239, 88 (1972).
Farrant, J., Knight, S. C., and Morris, G. J., Cryobiology, 9, 516 (1972).
Fridman, W. H., and Kourilsky, F. M., Nature, 224, 277 (1969).
Rudolph, R. H., Mickelson, E., and Thomas, E. D., J. clin. Invest., 49, 2271 (1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
FARRANT, J., KNIGHT, S., O'BRIEN, J. et al. Selection of Leukaemic Cell Populations by Freezing and Thawing. Nature 245, 322–323 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/245322a0
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/245322a0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.