Differential expression of ganglioside G(D3) by human leukocytes and leukemia cells

Gangliosides from normal leukocytes and the cells of 25 patients with acute and chronic leukemia were tested for the presence of the disialoganglioside II³-α-N-acetylneuraminosyl-α2→8-N-acetylneuraminosyllactosylceramide (G(D3)). G(D3) was detected by immunostaining thin-layer chromatographs with an anti-G(D3) monoclonal antibody (AbR₂₄). Among the myeloid cells tested, acute leukemia cells were positive for G(D3), whereas chronic leukemia cells and normal neutrophils did not have detectable G(D3). A range of G(D3) reactivity was apparent within the acute myeloid leukemia cells; gangliosides from pure myeloid leukemia cells stained more intensely than those from leukemia cells with monocytic characteristics. All lymphocytic leukemia cells (chronic and acute) contained G(D3), but this ganglioside could not be detected in extracts from normal lymphocytes. A ganglioside extract from the cells of a patient with hairy cell leukemia was also positive for G(D3) immunostaining. These results demonstrate that normal leukocytes and chronic myelogenous leukemia cells are distinguished from other lymphoid and nonlymphoid leukemia cells on the basis of G(D3) ganglioside expression.