CLL is usually diagnosed through the charachteristic
morphology/immunophenotype of the lymphocytes, but some CLL
cases remain atypical resulting in uncertain diagnosis. CD160 is a
glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Linked receptor found on normal natural
killer (NK) and T cells, but not B cells. Its activation protects against
apoptosis and increase mean cell viability. The aim of the study is to
analyze expression of CD160 in B-CLL and if there is relation with
clinical and laboratory parameters. CD 160 expression was assessed
using Flow Cytometry, in 60 newly diagnosed CLL patients in
addition to 30, matched age and sex, normal subjects who served as a
control group. We found that, CD160 was expressed on a greater
percentage of B-CLL cells in patients than in control group (p< 0.01)
with very high sensitivity (96.7%) and specificity (100%) , so it can
represent a useful diagnostic tool in B-CLL cases. There was no
significant difference of CD160 expression in various stages in Binet
and Rai staging. We demonstrated a significant statistical positive
correlation between CD160 and CD20 (p< 0.05) and a highly
significant statistical positive correlation between CD160 and CD19
and CD38 (p< 0.01). No significant correlation was found between
CD160 and CD23, CD79b, SIgM, FMC7, CD5 and CD10.There was
no significant statistical correlation between CD160 and Hemoglobin
level(Hb), platelet count(PLT), total leukocytic count(TLC), Absolute
and relative lymphocytic count, bone marrow lymphocytes (BML)
and Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH). We concluded that; CD160 was
expressed on a greater percentage of B-CLL cells in patients than in
control group with very high sensitivity and specificity, so it can
represent a useful diagnostic tool in B-CLL cases. CD160 expression
may be useful prognostic marker in patients with B- CLL. |
