Visualization of tubulin in lymphocytes. I. Comparison of normal and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) lymphocytes.

Cell structures containing tubulin were studied in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 8 normal donors and 11 patients with CLL using specific antitubulin antibodies revealed by immunoperoxidase assay. The centriole and microtubules were clearly visible in both groups. A "nucleus-associated tubulin-containing structure" was revealed by antitubulin antibodies and was found in virtually all lymphocytes of normal subjects but in a considerably lower number of CLL lymphocytes. The nature of this structure and its relationship to other cell structures are discussed.