Increased CD39 expression on CD4(+) T lymphocytes has clinical and prognostic significance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Ann Hematol
; 91(8): 1271-9, 2012 Aug.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22349724
ABSTRACT
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells depend on their microenvironment for proliferation and survival. Ectonucleotidase CD39 has anti-inflammatory properties as it hydrolyzes proinflammatory extracellular ATP, generates anti-inflammatory adenosine, and also protects regulatory T cells from ATP-induced cell death. In this study, we investigated the clinical significance of CD39 expression on CD4(+) T cells in 62 patients with CLL as well as its compartmental regulation and explored the possible mechanisms for its induction. Compared to healthy individuals, CD4(+)CD39(+) lymphocytes were increased in the peripheral blood of patients with CLL and correlated with the advanced stage of disease. CD4(+)CD39(+) cells were also higher in patients with CLL, who needed therapeutic intervention, and in those who had unmutated immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region gene, were ZAP70(+) or had ß2-microglobulin levels of >3 g/L. There were more CD4(+)CD39(+) lymphocytes in the bone marrow compartment than in the peripheral blood, and in vitro studies showed that CD39 can be induced on CD4(+) cells by exposure to ATP or indirectly, following B cell receptor engagement. This may support the notion that the leukemic cells contribute to create an immune-subversive environment, and perhaps to a poorer prognosis. CD39(+) may also serve as a future target for the development of novel therapies with immune-modulating antitumor agents in CLL.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Health context:
6_ODS3_enfermedades_notrasmisibles
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Apyrase
/
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
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Antigens, CD
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Ann Hematol
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article