[Effects of interleukin-2 and alpha and gamma-interferon on B cell colony formation in patients with hairy cell leukemia].

Abstract

We studied the effect of interleukin-2, and alpha and gamma-interferon on the growth of B cell colonies in three patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL). Cells in the colonies from HCL were morphologically similar to the circulating cells, but HCL colonies were morphologically different from B-CLL colonies. HCL colonies had several satellite cells. Spell out (PHA) was essential for the growth of HCL. HCL responded to PHA-MTCM, the supernatant derived from 24 hr incubation of PHA, silica, monocytes and T cells. HCL cells didn't respond to IL-2 or alpha-interferon. However, gamma-interferon significantly enhanced HCL cell proliferation.