Inhibition of leukemic cell proliferation by factor(s) released from irradiated lymphocytes of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients

An attempt was made to clarify the mechanism by which splenic irradiation in patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) can induce a reduction in lymph node size. For this purpose peripheral blood lymphocytes from B-CLL patients were exposed to cobalt irradiation and were cultured for 1–8 days. The effect of the supernatants on the proliferation capacity of normal and malignant human cells was examined. A suppression of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced proliferation of autologous and heterologous B-CLL lymphocytes was observed, whereas there was no effect on the proliferation of lymphocytes obtained from healthy volunteers. in addition, supernatants of irradiated B-CLL lymphocytes inhibited thymidine incorporation into blasts derived from patients with acute leukemia and the lymphoblastoid cell line Daudi, but they did not exert any effect on normal cells obtained from human embryonic liver. These results suggest the secretion of some factor(s) by irradiated B-CLL lymphocytes, which may inhibit the proliferation of malignant cells but has no effect on normal cells. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Intracellular T cell cytokines in patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL)

Analysis of cytokine production is a tool to functionally characterise T cells. In this study, spontaneous and polyclonal activation induced cytokine production in T cells were assessed by flow cytometry in patients with B-CLL. Patients with progressive disease had a significantly increased number of T cells spontaneously producing IL-2, IL-4 and GM-CSF as compared to healthy donors and patients with non-progressive CLL, which was not the case for TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma producing T cells. However, no difference in the frequency of T cells producing these cytokines was seen comparing patients with non-progressive disease to control donors. Polyclonal activation of B-CLL T cells in vitro induced an increased proportion of T cells producing these five cytokines in patients as well as in control donors, indicating that T cells in CLL patients might have a relatively well preserved functional capacity. However, the increase in GM-CSF, TNF-alpha and IL-4 producing T cells was more marked in CLL patients than in controls. Furthermore, following activation, a higher frequency of cytokine-producing T cells was noted in patients with progressive disease as compared to those with non-progressive disease. The augmented number of cytokine-producing T cells in CLL may indicate an up-regulated capability of T cells to secrete cytokines, especially in patients with progressive CLL. The increased production of the T cell derived cytokines GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-2 is interesting, as these cytokines have previously been shown to support growth of B-CLL leukaemic cells in vitro and as T cells might specifically recognise the autologous leukaemic B cells in vivo. The findings may suggest a role for T cells in the pathogenesis of B-CLL.     

Morphological variants of leukemic cells in B chronic lymphocytic leukemia are associated with different T cell and NK cell abnormalities

B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a heterogeneous disease. The different morphological variants of leukemic B cells appear to define different clinical groups of patients. Several abnormalities have been found in T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells from B-CLL patients. We have investigated the phenotypic and functional characteristics of purified CD2+ cells from B-CLL patients at Binet's stage A and classified according to the neoplastic B lymphocyte morphology criteria: 32 patients with typical B-CLL and 12 patients with atypical B-CLL. Forty-three age and sex matched healthy controls were also studied. In fresh purified CD2+ cells from typical B-CLL patients, percentages of CD4+, CD4+CD45RA+, CD8+CD45RA+ T lymphocytes and CD3−CD56+ (NK) cells were significantly higher than those found in atypical B-CLL patients. However, in DC2+ cells from typical B-CLL patients, percentages of CD3+, CD3+DR+, CD8+, CD4+CD45RO+, and CD3+CD56+ cells were significantly lower than those found in atypical B-CLL patients. Increased percentage of NK cells was only found in typical B-CLL patients. The proliferative response and the production of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated CD2+ cells were significantly higher in typical B-CLL patients than in atypical B-CLL patients. We concluded that different patterns of phenotypic and functional alterations in the T lymphocytes and NK cells of B-CLL patients are found in patients with typical or atypical B-CLL defined according to the morphology of the leukemic cells. Am. J. Hematol. 55:175–182, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The effects of splenic irradiation on lymphocyte subpopulations in chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia

We describe the effect of splenic irradiation (SI) (0.5-1 Gy weekly) on lymphocyte subpopulations for 7 patients with progressive B chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). Using specific cellular characteristics we could distinguish normal from abnormal cells. The irradiation resulted in a decrease of lymph node size, reduction in spleen volume and decrease in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The one exception was a patient with a prolymphocytoid transformation of B-CLL. For 3 patients SI had to be interrupted or stopped because of severe cytopenia. Quantitation of malignant B cells and normal T lymphocytes revealed that the total irradiation dose which resulted in a specific decrease of malignant lymphocytes varied from patient to patient. Normal T-cell subpopulations, which were increased before SI, decreased to normal or abnormally low values during SI. In previously untreated patients, natural killer (NK) cell numbers decreased more rapidly than T-cell subpopulations. For 2 patients refractory to chemotherapy an increase of NK cells was observed upon SI.     

DNA-synthesizing T and non-T cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Summary In 21 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and in 8 hematologically normal persons the number of DNA-synthesizing peripheral blood lymphocytes was investigated by autoradiographic techniques. The lymphocytes were differentiated by En-rosette tests into T and non-T lymphoid cells. The results show a normal number of proliferating T lymphoid cells and an increased number of proliferating non-T lymphoid cells in clinical stages O-I. Stages III–IV demonstrate a significant increase of the proliferation rate of both T and non-T lymphoid cells. The possible pathogenetic factors and the prognostic value of these results are discussed.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Be 79/15) and by the Austrian Funds Zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung and Kampf dem Krebs     

Abnormal T cell function in early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients

Significant alterations in T cell subpopulations and function occur in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. We studied whether abnormalities in peripheral blood T cell parameters were present in 15 untreated early stage CLL patients (ie, Rai stage 0, 1, 2). Seven of the nine patients showed decreased T helper support as compared to control T cells for pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced control B cell proliferation (ie, patient 6,063 +/- 1,434 cpm vs control 14,894 +/- 121 cpm). All stage 0 and 1 patients showed a marked impairment of T helper activity for control B cell proliferation (patient T = 7,752 +/- 1,137 cpm vs control T = 14,894 +/- 121 cpm). In a separate assay system, six of nine CLL patients showed T suppressor activity for control B cell proliferation greater than control T cell suppressor activity. Four patients were stage 0 and 1. CLL patients demonstrated markedly impaired T cell support for control B cell immunoglobulin synthesis compared to control T cells (188 +/- 28 vs 869 +/- 56 hemolytic plaque-forming cells (HePFC)/culture, respectively). Control T cells showed increasing support for control B cell immunoglobulin synthesis with increasing T:B cell ratios (869 +/- 56 vs 1,265 +/- 48 HePFC/culture, at 1:1 and 2:1 T:B cell ratios, respectively). In contrast, five of eight CLL patients' T cells showed no improvement in control B cell immunoglobulin synthesis with increasing T:B cell ratios (795 +/- 56 vs 569 +/- 48 HePFC/culture, at 1:1 and 2:1 T:B cell ratios, respectively). There was no direct correlation with CLL T cell-mediated suppression of B cell proliferation and suppression of B cell immunoglobulin synthesis. These studies suggest there is a complex array of abnormal immunoregulatory T cell function in early stage CLL. These include a prominent T helper dysfunction and more variable excessive suppressor activity. The relationship of these findings to the basic disease process remains to be elucidated.     

Heterogeneous proliferative effect of tumor necrosis factor-α and lymphotoxin on mitogen-activated B cells from B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The proliferative effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and lymphotoxin on B cells from patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) was studied. Fresh purified B-CLL lymphocytes showed no proliferative response to either recombinant (r) TNF-α or r-lymphotoxin. However, after 'in vitro' activation of B-CLL lymphocytes for 2 days with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC), four of seven patients showed enhanced blastogenic response in the presence of either rTNF-α or r-Iymphotoxin. We also found that the proliferative response of SAC-activated B-CLL lymphocytes to the two cytokines was independent of that found in the presence of interleukin-2. These results demonstrate that TNF-α and lymphotoxin can heterogeneously support the proliferation of in vitro activated B cells from B-CLL patients and may reflect the biological heterogeneity of B-CLL disease.     

慢性乙型肝炎的Th细胞亚群及相关细胞因子网络失衡

辅助性T细胞(helper T cell,Th细胞)是根据功能分类的一个T细胞亚群,根据所分泌细胞因子的不同,Th细胞可分为Th0、Th1、Th2和Th3 4种亚群,其中研究最多的是Th1和Th2两个亚群.Th1/Th2细胞及其细胞因子网络的调节对维持机体正常的免疫功能至关重要.乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染机体后,多种因素影响Th细胞增殖并且调节其亚型比例,细胞因子网络受到破坏,在细胞因子介导下便可造成肝脏等组织和器官的损害,直接或间接地影响到乙型肝炎发病及其转归.     

The expression of NK cell inhibitory receptors on cytotoxic T cells in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL)

Immune surveillance of tumours is mediated by cytotoxic T cells (CTL) that recognise tumour antigen. Reduced reactivity of CTL towards tumour cells could thus lead to disease progression and loss of tumour control. In B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL), the function of tumour-reactive CTL seems to correlate inversely to disease stage. Inhibitory NK cell receptors are known to suppress the CTL response upon interaction with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and increased expression of such receptors on CTL may inhibit the anti-tumour response. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of NK cell inhibitory receptors on CTL in B-CLL patients and if such expression correlated to disease stage. CD8+ T cells from B-CLL patients in Binet stage A (n = 26) and stage C (n = 14) and healthy controls (n = 14) were analysed for the expression of killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) CD158a (KIR2DL1), CD158b (KIR2DL2), CD158e (KIR3DL1) and the C-type lectin receptor CD94, by flow cytometry analysis. Patients with advanced disease (Binet stage C) had a significantly greater percentage of CTL expressing CD158b, CD158e and CD94 than patients with non-progressive disease (Binet stage A) and healthy controls. Stage C patients also had a significantly higher percentage of CTL expressing CD158a than stage A patients. No statistically significant differences were found between Binet A patients and healthy controls. Our results suggest that increased expression of KIR and CD94 on CTL in advanced stage B-CLL may potentially contribute to the impaired anti-tumour immune response in these patients.     

Interleukin 4 content in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) B cells and blood CD8+ T cells from B-CLL patients: impact on clonal B-cell apoptosis

B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) clonal B cells are characterized by resistance to apoptosis. We evaluated clonal B cells and blood T cells for interleukin 4 (IL-4) content as IL-4 is able to increase CLL cell resistance to apoptosis. The content of IL-4 in CD8+ T cells of CLL patients (n = 9) ranged from 37% to 63% of the total CD8+ T cells (mean level of 49% +/- 3.4) compared with a range of 5-10% for control CD8+ T cells. Clonal B cells positive for cytoplasmic IL-4 ranged from 1% to 97% (mean value 57.8 +/- 6.9%). CD8+ T cells and clonal B cells secreted detectable levels of IL-4, but only clonal CLL B cells (n = 4) secreted IL-4 in association with increasing cell numbers. Fludarabine (F-ara-AMP, 0.1-100 micromol/ml) was able to downregulate the IL-4 content of CD8+ T cells, but not clonal B-cell IL-4. Culture supernatant from CLL CD8+ T cells decreased the spontaneous apoptotic rate of clonal B cells that was reversed with anti-IL-4 and soluble IL-4 receptor. These findings show that IL-4 is present in the microenvironment of B-CLL. In addition, use of agents that can interfere with IL-4 presentation to clonal B cells can be effective in increasing clonal B-cell apoptosis.     

Autologous cytomegalovirus-specific T cells as effector cells in immunotherapy of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) cells express low levels of co-stimulatory molecules and therefore fail to induce activation and differentiation of tumour-specific T cells. We have shown that patients with B-CLL have considerably expanded numbers of cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactive CD8(+) T cells. This study demonstrated that B-CLL cells loaded with CMV peptide not only promoted the ex vivo expansion of autologous, in vivo-generated virus-specific T cells, but also constituted excellent target cells for these cytotoxic T cells, even without ex vivo re-stimulation. Directing virus-specific T cells to B-CLL may overcome the inadequate immunostimulatory capacity of these cells, which could be exploited for T-cell mediated immunotherapy.     

Lactic dehydrogenase in normal and leukemia lymphocyte subpopulations: evidence for the presence of abnormal T cells and B cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was quantitated and the isozyme pattern studied in lymphocyte subpopulations from normal people and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Normal T lymphocytes differed from normal B lymphocytes in having greater total LDH activity (597.2 versus 252.1). Total LDH activity in CLL T cells (347.1) was lower than normal T cells., but not significantly different than normal B cells. Total LDH activity in CLL B cells (124.6) was lower then normal B cells and normal T cells. The isozyme pattern of normal T lymphocytes showed a higher activity in the LDH-1 band (26.7% versus 5.4%) but showed a lower activity in LDH-5 band (4.3% versus 16.3%) compared to normal B cells. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia T cells could be distinguished from CLL B cells by a high LDH-5 band (22.3% versus 7.6%) and from normal T cells by a high LDH-5 band (22.3% versus 4.3%) and a low LDH-1 band (7.3% versus 26.7%). CLL B cells could be distinguished from normal B cells by a low LDH-5 band (7.6% versus 16.3%). Thus, the LDH isozyme pattern distinguishes normal T lymphocytes from normal B lymphocytes, and normal T and B lymphocytes from CLL T and B lymphocytes.     

Poly(A)-polymerase activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the B cell type

Poly(A)-polymerase enzymic activity was biochemically determined in lymphocytic extracts from 40 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the B cell type. The enzymic activities of patients with stage A, B and C disease were (U/mg of protein): 4.9 +/- 5.5, 12.5 +/- 7.5 and 20.9 +/- 18.9, respectively. The difference in the enzyme level between stage A and C patients was statistically significant (p less than 0.05). Comparison of the enzyme activity level in relation to the pattern of bone marrow involvement revealed that patients with a diffuse pattern of infiltration had a significantly higher enzyme level (17.9 +/- 15.5 U/mg of protein) than patients with interstitial or mixed infiltration patterns (5.9 +/- 6.6 and 7.9 +/- 7.0 U/mg of protein; p less than 0.025). Finally, patients who required treatment for their disease also had a significantly higher poly(A)-polymerase activity level (14.5 +/- 13.9 U/mg of protein) than patients with stable disease (4.9 +/- 5.5 U/mg of protein; p less than 0.05). Our results indicate that the enzyme poly(A)-polymerase may be used as a biological marker in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.     

Analysis of the expression of critical activation/interaction markers on peripheral blood T cells in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: evidence of immune dysregulation

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) is characterized by an accumulation of clonal malignant B cells. The intrinsic characteristics that permit this accumulation have been extensively studied and described. However, it is possible that proliferation and survival of this malignant clone is facilitated by a disruption in the interaction between B and T cells that normally regulate the immune system. In this study, using flow cytometry and cell culture techniques, marked abnormalities of the expression of certain key activation and interaction molecules on the peripheral blood T cells of patients with B-CLL were demonstrated. In particular, on comparison with normal controls, there was a marked reduction in the number of circulating T cells expressing CD25 (interleukin 2 receptor) (P = 0.007), CD28 (P = 0.01) and CD152 (CTLA-4) (P = 0.001). There was also a reduction in the number of circulating T cells expressing CD4 (P = 0.03), CD5 (P = 0.05) and CD11a (P = 0.01). There was no difference in the number expressing T-cell receptor alphabeta (P = 0.1), CD8 (P = 0.4), CD54 (P = 0.4) and CD154 (P = 0.5), and the only marker expressed on a greater number of circulating T cells in B-CLL patients was HLA-DR (P = 0.05). These results suggest that there is a profound T-cell dysregulation that may contribute to the survival of the malignant B cells in patients with B-CLL and to the related autoimmune phenomena of the disease.     

T-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia with pure red cell aplasia: laboratory demonstration of persistent leukemia in spite of apparent complete clinical remission

A 40-year-old woman presented with splenomegaly, macrocytic anemia, and red cell aplasia. Although lymphocytosis was absent in the peripheral blood, large atypical lymphoid aggregates were present in the bone marrow. Splenectomy resulted in partial remission of red cell aplasia, but a gradual increase in the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes followed during the next 36 months. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the majority of these peripheral blood lymphocytes had suppressor, natural killer T-cell phenotype. No other treatment was given until red cell hypoplasia worsened 42 months after initial presentation. Repeat bone marrow evaluation again demonstrated severe erythroid hypoplasia and large abnormal lymphocytic infiltrates. Cyclophosphamide given for 8 months resulted in complete resolution of the red cell aplasia and complete clinical remission of CLL. However, flow cytometric analysis revealed persistent increase in bone marrow T-cells, and bone marrow co-culture studies demonstrated residual ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to inhibit erythropoiesis in vitro, suggesting that residual, clinically undetectable leukemia persists in spite of complete clinical remission.     

Immunoregulation of B lymphocyte colony formation by T cell subsets in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Normal B lymphocytes are activated, proliferate, and then differentiate into plasma cells and secrete immunoglobulin (Ig). We have reported that chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) T4 cells help and CLL T8 cells lack suppressor effects on Ig synthesis by normal B cells (Blood 62:767, 1983). We have now explored the earlier phase, proliferation, using B cell colony formation; in semisolid media. B lymphocyte colonies from normal individuals and from patients with CLL were grown in 0.3% agarose overlayed with T cells or T cell subsets and the B cell mitogen staphylococcal protein A. Enriched T cells, OKT4 or OKT8, were obtained either by sheep erythrocyte rosettes or depletion of OKT8 or OKT4 cells by monoclonal antibody or complement, respectively. Twenty thousand B cells from normal subjects yielded 65 +/- 9, 64 +/- 7, and 19 +/- 6 colonies with autologous unfractionated T-, OKT4-, or OKT8- positive cells, respectively. This compared to 29 +/- 11, 81 +/- 11, and 15 +/- 4 colonies from patients with CLL with added autologous unfractionated T-, OKT4-, or OKT8-positive cells. To determine whether the fewer number of colonies in both normal subjects and patients with CLL with OKT8-positive cells was due to suppression or lack of help, the number of OKT4-positive cells was held constant, and OKT8-positive cells were added in increasing numbers. No suppression of colony formation could be demonstrated. Furthermore, the addition of increasing numbers of concanavalin A (Con A)-activated OKT8-positive cells did not suppress colony formation. These results suggest that the CLL T cell subsets behave in a functionally similar manner to normal T cell subsets, namely, (1) that normal and CLL B cell colony growth is helped by OKT4 cells; and (2) in contrast to immunoglobulin secretion by B cells, neither normal nor CLL OKT8 cells, unstimulated or activated by Con A, suppress B cell colony growth.     

T、B淋巴细胞及免疫球蛋白和补体在尘肺病患者外周血中的变化及其相关性分析

目的 分析尘肺病患者外周血中T、B淋巴细胞的表达和免疫球蛋白及补体的水平及其相关性.方法 选取苏州市第五人民医院住院尘肺病患者103例为研究对象,56例健康体检者为正常对照.采用流式细胞术测定患者和对照者外周血T、B淋巴细胞亚群数量;采用免疫透射比浊法测定患者外周血血清中IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4.结果 ①尘肺组患者外周血T细胞亚群(CD3+、CD4+、CD8+)百分比均低于正常对照组(P值均＜0.05),其中Ⅰ期、Ⅱ期、Ⅲ期尘肺病患者外周血中T细胞亚群(CD3+、CD4+T淋巴细胞百分比)的表达,与正常对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(t=2.78、2.80、3.12和t=2.24、3.02、3.17,P值均＜0.05),Ⅰ期尘肺组CD8+T淋巴细胞与正常对照组比较差异有统计学意义(t =2.44,P＜0.05),各期间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).②尘肺组患者外周血B淋巴细胞(CD3-CD19+)百分比高于正常对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=-5.150,P＜0.05),其中Ⅰ期、Ⅱ期、Ⅲ期CD3-CD19+百分比均高于正常对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=-4.20、-2.60、-4.25,P值均＜0.05),各期间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).③尘肺组患者免疫球蛋白IgG、IgM均高于正常对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=-2.441、-2.417,P值均＜0.05),分组中尘肺I瑚、尘肺Ⅲ期IgM与正常对照组比较差异有统计学意义(t=-2.79、-3.03,P值均＜0.05).④尘肺组补体C3低于正常对照组(t=2.08,P＜0.05),其中Ⅰ期补体C3低于正常对照组(t =3.255,P＜0.05),Ⅱ期补体C3高于Ⅰ期患者,差异有统计学意义(t=-2.412,P＜0.05),Ⅲ期略有下降;尘肺组补体C4与正常对照组C4差异无统计学意义(t=0.29,P＞0.05),但其中Ⅱ期患者补体C4高于正常对照组和尘肺Ⅰ期、Ⅲ期组,差异均有统计学意义(t=-2.631、-3.234、-2.228,P值均＜0.05).⑤尘肺病患者外周血免疫球蛋白IgG与IgA呈正相关(r=0.593,P＜0.000 1);补体C3与C4呈正相关(r=0.609,P＜0.000 1).结论 尘肺病患者免疫功能紊乱,体液免疫功能亢进,T、B淋巴细胞和免疫球蛋白及补体水平变化的分析对尘肺病临床诊断、分期、预后判断以及发病机制的探讨有一定意义.     

急性和慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血NK细胞和T淋巴细胞亚群的动态变化

目的：观察急性和慢性乙型肝炎患者急性期和恢复期外周血NK细胞和T淋巴细胞亚群的变化。方法在40例急性乙型肝炎和40例慢性乙型肝炎患者,分别在急性期和恢复期检测CD3＋CD4＋T细胞、CD3＋CD8＋T细胞和NK（CD3-CD16＋CD56＋）细胞占淋巴细胞的比率（%）。结果在急性乙型肝炎急性期NK细胞计数为（15.7±7.5）%,而在恢复期则上升至（21.9±8.2）%,（P＜0.05）;急性乙型肝炎患者在急性期CD3＋CD4＋T细胞为（35.5±6.8）%,到恢复期则显著下降（33.6±7.0）%,（P＜0.05）;急性乙型肝炎在急性期CD3＋CD8＋T细胞为（35.6±7.6）%,而在恢复期则显著下降（30.0±7.5）%,（P＜0.05）,后者仍比慢性乙型肝炎患者在病情恢复期高（19.1±7.1）%,（P＜0.05）。结论在急性乙型肝炎病程中,NK细胞呈上升趋势,CD3＋CD8＋T细胞呈下降趋势,而在慢性乙型肝炎患者NK细胞及T淋巴细胞数量下降,致病情迁延不愈。