Analyses Of TCRVβ Subfamilies Of Clonal Proliferated And Activated Peripheral T-cells In Vitro From Initially Diagnosed Leukemic Patients

【objective】To investigate the distribution and clonal expansion of TCR Vβsubfamily T cells in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in different disease stage, for example, in initial diagnosis, complete remission or relapse and T cells from the AML patients peripheral blood induced by AML cells in vitro. The aim of this study was expected to provide the basic data of clonal expansion T cells with anti-leukemia effect for the specific immunotherapy eliminating minimal residual disease (MRD) in AML.【Method】Gene series of peripheral TCRVβ24 families from both 11 leukemic patients and 3 normal donors were expanded By RT-PCR. Genescan technique has been applied for the evaluation of clonal expression of the TCRVβsubfamilies, clonal characters of the CDR3 from peripheral blood of the leukemic patients in different disease state.. The comparison has been made of the application, clonal proliferation, cellular complexity of T-cells.【Results】The lower and partial distribution of TCR Vβsubfamily was found in all 11 patients when firstly diagnosed. There was a recovery of expression of TCRVβsubfamilies with induction in vitro. An obvious elevation of TCR Vβsubfamilies was observed in patients in complete remission although it was still lower than normal level, whereas in 4 patients in nonremission, a significant descent of TCRVβsubfamilies was noticed. Only 1-2 clonal proltferation TCRVβsubfamilies existed respectively in 9 of 11 patients at initial diagnosis which increased at remission. The state of clonal proliferation of Vβsubfamily T-cells continued regardless of remission or any different disease state in most patients. There was an obvious decreased CDR3 complexity at initial diagnosis or relapse which would be partly improved at remission.【Conclusion】The restrict distribution and expression of TCR Vβsubfamilies were found in AML patients. Clonal proliferation of Vβsubfamily T-cells continuously exists regardless of remission or any different disease state in most patients. Some Vβsubfamilies sustained a clonal proliferation under different disease state mentioned above. Some clonal proliferation of Vβsubfamilies was associated with the effects of leukemic cells which might indicate specifically clonal proliferation of leukemic cells. There was an obviously decreased CDR3 complexity under disease state which would be partly improved at remission.