Serum levels of helper factors (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6), T-cell products (sCD4 and sCD8), sIL-2R and beta 2-microglobulin in patients with B-CLL and benign B lymphocytosis.
Chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells may be regulated by immune functions. In an attempt to analyze such functions, helper factors (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6), T-cell products (sCD4 and sCD8) and sIL-2R and beta 2-microglobulin were measured in serum of patients at different stages of the disease. Patients were classified as having monoclonal lymphocytosis of undetermined significance (MLUS), stable or progressive B-CLL respectively. A significant, but modest, increase of IL-1 alpha was found in B-CLL as well as in MLUS patients whereas IL-6 levels were increased in MLUS only. sCD8 levels were increased both in MLUS and B-CLL but augmented sCD4 concentrations were found statistically significant only in progressive B-CLL. beta 2-microglobulin and sIL-2R were related to the extent of the monoclonal B-cell fraction. The data indicate an increased T-suppressor activity in both MLUS and B-CLL patients and a selective increase of helper T-cell activity in progressive B-CLL. A possible immunoregulatory influence of helper T cells on disease progression is discussed.
Aguilar-Santelises
M
M
Department of Immunology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Loftenius
A
A
Ljungh
C
C
Svenson
S B
SB
Andersson
B
B
Mellstedt
H
H
Jondal
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007375:Interleukin-1; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; C052994:interleukin-1beta (163-171)