Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of bone marrow in cats diagnosed with hematopoietic disorders

Cytological examination of bone marrow in cats, due to the large number of cells and various growth phases is somewhat complicated. The use of flow cytometric techniques and monoclonal antibodies are appropriate methods in the diagnosis of hematopoietic malignancies.

The purpose of the present study is to determine cell-surface antigens for various developmental stages of feline bone marrow cells in hematopoietic disorders using flow cytometric.

In this study, bone marrow cells from 4 cats with hematopoietic disorders and 2 clinically healthy cats, were labeled with 5 types of anti-feline MAbs included: CD21-like (Cr-Br), T lymphocyte subpopulation, CD- 172a, Granulocyte, Pan-Leukocyte (CD45-like) and then analyzed using flow cytometric.

The results revealed changes in immunophenotyping and light scatter properties compared with normal cases. The percentage of CD45, Granulocyte and CD172a markers in the bone marrow of a cat with erythroleukemia were lower compared with normal bone marrow. In a cat with myelodysplastic syndrome, scatter plot indicated an increase in the immature myeloid cells and a decrease in mature myeloid cells.

It was concluded that cytological examination of bone marrow with studying dispersion studies on cells using flow cytometric and usage of a panel of antibodies such as CD21-like(Cr-Br), T lymphocyte subpopulation, CD-172a, Granulocyte, Pan-Leukocyte (CD45-like) could support the diagnosis of feline hematopoietic abnormalities.