Expression of interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6 in chronic B lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) cells from patients at different stages of disease progression.
We have previously found that isolated B-CLL cells from progressive disease produce less interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) as compared with cells from patients with indolent disease. Here we extend that finding to include measurements of IL-1 beta mRNA and secretion of IL-1 alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6). As before, a lower production of IL-1 beta was found in cells from progressive disease. IL-6 was produced by cells from patients at all stages, with a tendency to follow the IL-1 beta production. Low secretion of IL-1 alpha was noted. When viable cells were permeabilized and analysed at the single cell level with monoclonal antibodies, most B-CLL cells were found to contain IL-1 alpha. A minor fraction of non-permeabilized cells expressed IL-1 alpha at the cell membrane. However, only small fractions of cells were positive for intracellular IL-1 beta (less than 1%) and almost no IL-6-positive cells were found. We conclude that either IL-1 beta and IL-6 are produced by a minor population of undefined cells, or that a more sensitive in situ method is needed to detect production of these cytokines in B-CLL cells. The possible biological significance of secreted, and membrane-expressed helper factors in B-CLL is discussed.
Aguilar-Santelises
M
M
Department of Immunology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Magnusson
R
R
Svenson
S B
SB
Loftenius
A
A
Andersson
B
B
Mellstedt
H
H
Jondal
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6