Intracellular antigen determination by flow cytometry in leukaemic cells

Several fixation and permeabilization techniques that enable the flow cytometric analysis of the cell contents have been introduced in recent years. These methods allow sensitive detection of intracellular antigens that facilitates the diagnosis of certain diseases. We have undertaken in this study to evaluate a simple method of fixation and permeabilization using 2% paraformaldehyde and Tween 20. Intracellular antigens in three different leukaemia cases were analysed. We found that the method was reliable and easy. Intracellular kappa light chains were found in abundance in a case of plasma cell leukaemia. CD3 and CD22 were found in greater amount intracellularly than on the surface in pre-T-ALL and pre-pre B-ALL respectively.