Protein concentration in normal mouse lymphocytes, thymocytes, and mouse and human leukemic cells as measured by interference microscopy.

The apparent protein content of a single spherical lymphocyte or a similar cell, as well as its diameter, can be measured by a modified and stabilized AO-Baker interference microscope which is either fitted with an AO half-shade eyepiece or connected to a photomultiplier. This paper gives results for the apparent protein content and the diameter of normal mouse lymphocytes and thymocytes; these do not differ significantly from each other. It also gives values for the apparent protein concentration and the diameter of the lymphocytes of mice of the same strain which have developed leukemia or lymphoma; these values are significantly different from those of normal mice. Related data are given for the apparent protein content and for the diameter of normal human lymphocytes and the white cells found in myeloblastic leukemia and in stem cell leukemia in man; here the values differ significantly from those of the normal human lymphocyte. The rule seems to be that the abnormal white cells become more watery and larger as the disease advances.