| First Author | Saulep-Easton D | Year | 2014 |
| Journal | Leukemia | Volume | 28 |
| Issue | 10 | Pages | 2005-15 |
| PubMed ID | 24721775 | Mgi Jnum | J:216035 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5607509 | Doi | 10.1038/leu.2014.105 |
| Citation | Saulep-Easton D, et al. (2014) Cytokine-driven loss of plasmacytoid dendritic cell function in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia 28(10):2005-15 |
| abstractText | Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the accumulation of CD5(+)CD19(+) B cells in the peripheral blood, and in primary and secondary lymphoid organs. A major complication associated with CLL is severe recurrent infections, which are often fatal. Vulnerability to infection is due to a wide variety of immunological defects, yet the initiating events of immunodeficiency in CLL are unclear. Using CLL patient samples and a mouse model of CLL, we have discovered that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which underpin the activity of effector immune cells critical for anti-viral immunity and anti-tumor responses, are reduced in number and functionally impaired in progressive CLL. As a result, the levels of interferon alpha (IFNalpha) production, a cytokine critical for immunity, are markedly reduced. Lower pDC numbers with impaired IFNalpha production was due to the decreased expression of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 receptor (Flt3) and Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), respectively. Reduced Flt3 expression was reversed using inhibitors of TGF-beta and TNF, an effect correlating with a reduction in tumor load. Defects in pDC numbers and function offer new insight into mechanisms underpinning the profound immunodeficiency affecting CLL patients and provide a potentially novel avenue for restoring immunocompetency in CLL. |
