<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Traffic of tumor- and normal cells through the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) to the lymph nodes (LN) or spleen/ liver sites is governed by specific changes in surface and intracellular molecule expression. The study aims to investigate the potential association between different lymphocyte subsets, chemokine receptors or genetic alterations and specific clinical signs in a group of B-CLL patients. Forty-three patients were included in the study. The expression of CCR7, CXCR5, CXCR3, CCR4, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD27, CD28, CD45RA, CD25, CD127, CD38 was tested by multiparameter flow cytometry. Genetic alterations were determined by MLPA. We found increased frequency of CD38+ B-CLL cells directly correlated with the presence of LN>5cm. CXCR5 and CCR7 are homogenously expressed by monoclonal B-CLL cells. CCR4+ B-CLL cell frequency is found to be lower in the PB of patients presenting particular LN involvement. Heterogeneous and complex genetic alterations were found and only the presence of trisomy 12 associated with less frequent axillary LN involvement. We also report a significant increase in the frequency of total T cells and T cell subsets (effector- and central memory CD4+ T cells, regulatory T cells, follicular T helper cells, distinct functional CD8+ T cells) with the occurrence of specific clinical manifestations. Chemokine receptor expression on circulating CD4+ T cell subsets was augmented in connection to some specific LN locations. Consequently, clinical manifestations in B-CLL are linked to both, factors intrinsic to the monoclonal B cells, and external influences coming from the microenvironment.</p></abstract>

Traffic of tumor- and normal cells through the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) to the lymph nodes (LN) or spleen/ liver sites is governed by specific changes in surface and intracellular molecule expression. The study aims to investigate the potential association between different lymphocyte subsets, chemokine receptors or genetic alterations and specific clinical signs in a group of B-CLL patients. Forty-three patients were included in the study. The expression of CCR7, CXCR5, CXCR3, CCR4, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD27, CD28, CD45RA, CD25, CD127, CD38 was tested by multiparameter flow cytometry. Genetic alterations were determined by MLPA. We found increased frequency of CD38+ B-CLL cells directly correlated with the presence of LN>5cm. CXCR5 and CCR7 are homogenously expressed by monoclonal B-CLL cells. CCR4+ B-CLL cell frequency is found to be lower in the PB of patients presenting particular LN involvement. Heterogeneous and complex genetic alterations were found and only the presence of trisomy 12 associated with less frequent axillary LN involvement. We also report a significant increase in the frequency of total T cells and T cell subsets (effector- and central memory CD4+ T cells, regulatory T cells, follicular T helper cells, distinct functional CD8+ T cells) with the occurrence of specific clinical manifestations. Chemokine receptor expression on circulating CD4+ T cell subsets was augmented in connection to some specific LN locations. Consequently, clinical manifestations in B-CLL are linked to both, factors intrinsic to the monoclonal B cells, and external influences coming from the microenvironment.

Specific Associations Between Clinical Signs, Immune Cells, Disease Genetic Background and Burden in a Group of Patients with B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa of Iasi, Romania / Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi, Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Regional Institute of Oncology, Iasi, Laboratory of Molecular Biology

University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa of Iasi, Romania

Revista Romana de Medicina de Laborator

Traffic of tumor- and normal cells through the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) to the lymph nodes (LN) or...

Specific Associations Between Clinical Signs, Immune Cells, Disease Genetic Background and Burden in a Group of Patients with B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Published Online: Mar 25, 2014

Page range: 79 - 92

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rrlm-2014-0004

Keywords
B-CLL, genetic lesions, microenvironment

This content is open access.

Specific Associations Between Clinical Signs, Immune Cells, Disease Genetic Background and Burden in a Group of Patients with B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Published Online: Mar 25, 2014

Page range: 79 - 92

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rrlm-2014-0004

KeywordsB-CLL, genetic lesions, microenvironment

This content is open access.

Keywords
B-CLL, genetic lesions, microenvironment