T cells in patients with chronic T gamma lymphocytosis: morphology, cytochemistry, ultrastructure and immunological characteristics.

We have studied the morphology and cytochemistry in relation to the immunological phenotyping and functional properties of T cells from eight patients with chronic T gamma lymphocytosis. At the light microscopic level the morphology of the patients' lymphocytes was similar to that described for large granular lymphocytes. Ultrastructurally, a division into two groups could be made on differences in the amount of cytoplasm and the location and the more irregular form of the nuclei. The lymphocytes of one group (five patients) had in common the phenotype Fc gamma +, T3 +, T4 -, T8 +, Ia -, M1 - and demonstrated (with the exception of one patient) the same functions: presence of K-cell activity, absence of NK, helper and suppressor cell activities. In the other group (three patients), the lymphocytes of one patient showed the same phenotype and functions as those indicated above. The other two patients both lacked the T8 antigen on their lymphocytes but were different with regard to other surface markers. In addition, their cells were functionally identical: both demonstrated NK- and K-cell activity. Thus in this group of eight patients with chronic T gamma lymphocytosis, the immunological and functional subdivision paralleled in part a morphological division at the ultrastructural level.