In vitro lymphocytic transformation chromosome breakage and cellular damage in Ataxia-Telangiectasia.

The lymphocytic transformation in vitro has been studied in 2 cases of ataxia-telangiectasia and compared to that of 2 controls. Significant difference was found between the two groups in the behavior of lymphocytes for two different times of culture. After 48 hrs culturing, important individual variability in RNA synthesis and lower per cent of cells in mitosis was found in the first group. After 120 hrs culturing less important DNA synthesis was found in the first group and about the same per cent of cells in mitosis. After 48 hrs cultures, cellular damage was found in the first group and after 120 hrs cultures, chromosome anomalies were found in the first group.