ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value and expression of signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) family receptors on multiple myeloma (MM) cells.

MethodsThirty-two MM patients and 20 controls with benign hematologic diseases were chosen, the expression of SLAM family receptors on plasma cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.SLAM factors had no differences in normal plasma cells and MM cells utilizing resolution metrid (Rd) to separate MM cells from granulocytes, analyzing the percentage of MM cells by gating, detecting expression frequencies of SLAM family receptors on 9 MM cells within 48 h and 48-72 h.

ResultsCompared with normal plasma cells, the expression frequencies of CD150 and CD352 were lower (P < 0.01).There were no statistical difference in the expression frequencies of CD48, CD84, CD229 and CD352 (P>0.05);CD48, CD229 and CD319 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) on MM cells were higher than granulocytes and lymphocytes (P>0.05), the coefficient of variation of CD319 MFI was lower than CD48 and CD229 (P < 0.01), while Rd of CD319 were higher than CD48 and CD229 (P < 0.01);the percentage of MM cells gated by CD45/CD38 combined with CD48, CD229 or CD319 were positively correlated with the reference method (r=0.961, 0.953 and 0.981 respective, P < 0.05);frequencies of CD48, CD229 and CD319 on MM cells had no statistical significance within 48 h and 48-72 h (P>0.05).However, the positive frequency of CD138 was significantly decreased at 48-72 h (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The expressions of CD150 and CD352 on MM cells were reduced, CD319 could be regarded as a marker antigen for MM cell.