title: Analysis of blood T-cell cytokine expression in B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: evidence for increased levels of cytoplasmic IL-4 in resting and activated CD8 T cells.
abstract: The cytoplasmic cytokines of purified blood T cells (CD4/CD8) in B-CLL patients (n = 5) and controls (n = 5) were evaluated by flow cytometry. The mean levels of cytoplasmic IL-4 were significantly elevated in resting and activated B-CLL CD8 cells compared to control CD8 cells. IL-4 cytoplasmic levels were comparable for resting B-CLL and control CD4 cells but greater for B-CLL activated CD4 cells. The mean fluorescence intensity of B-CLL CD8 cytoplasmic IL-4 was 4-5-fold greater, indicating higher IL-4 density per CLL CD8 than control CD8 cells. Both CLL CD4 and CD8 cells post-activation had higher levels of cells double positive for cytoplasmic IL-4 and interferon. These data indicate that freshly isolated CD8 and CD4 blood T cells from B-CLL patients have significantly elevated (above control) levels of commitment to expression of IL-4. Since IL-4 has an important modulatory impact on CLL and normal B cells, this observation has implications regarding the biology of B-CLL.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, USA.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gosland
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Jennings
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015448:Leukemia, B-Cell / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015847:Interleukin-4