In human lymphocytes three dipeptidyl peptidases were discovered in our laboratory. For a correct demonstration of activities of these enzymes discriminating substrates must be used. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) is revealed with Gly-Pro-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide (Gly-Pro-MNA) and Fast Blue B (FBB). It is present in the surface membrane of about 40% lymphocytes of the peripheral blood. Only T-lymphocytes bear the reaction. Reacting lymphocytes belong predominantly to OKT4+ subset. Some OKT8+ lymphocytes also react. With more sensitive substrates (Lys-Pro-MNA, Phe-Pro-MNA and Ala-Pro-MNA) a co-reaction of DPP II was demonstrated "in situ" and in zymograms. In haemoblastoses a positive reaction in cells indicates their derivation from the T-lineage of lymphocytes. A negative reaction does not exclude a T-cell malignancy, however. A decreased number of DPP IV positive lymphocytes in the peripheral blood indicates a diminished immunocompetent potential of T-cells, e.g. immunodeficiency in patients with malignant lymphoma, gastric and colocrectal carcinoma, AIDS, etc. DPP II demonstrated with Lys-Ala-MNA occurs in about 60% of lymphocytes belonging to T and B subsets. It is localized in lysosomes. Although Lys-Pro-MNA is a more sensitive substrate a co-reaction of DPP IV must always be considered. Patients with chronic B-lymphocytic leukaemia displaying a high number of DPP II+ cells usually have a worse prognosis. DPP I assessed with Gly-Pro-MNA and nitrosalicylaldehyde occurs in about 20% of T and B lymphocytes. The number of positively reacting cells increases after corticosteroid therapy. The influence of the treatment on the activity can be shown very well in histograms of DPP I activity measured by computer-assisted microfluorometry.

School of General Medicine Charles University Prague