Assessment of selected co-stimulatory, adhesion and activatory molecules and cytokines of Th(1)/Th(2) balance in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children.
BACKGROUND
Recent years have seen a rise in the importance of cytokine production and co-stimulatory/activatory molecule expression in the immune response in leukemia. The aim of our study was to assess the function of T lymphocytes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during remission induction based on selected cytokine and co-stimulatory/activatory molecule expression.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 50 children with ALL (B cell precursor). Peripheral blood samples were taken before treatment (day 0), after the prednisone prophase (day 8), and during (day 15) and after (day 33) remission induction. The percentages of T cells with interferon (IFN)-gamma (Th(1)), interleukin (IL)-4 (Th(2)) and IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), CD28, CTLA-4, CD38, ICAM-1, and HLA-DR expression were assessed by tricolor flow cytometry.


RESULTS
At the time of diagnosis we noted higher percentages of T cells with adhesion molecule ICAM-1, activation molecule CD38 expression, and an increased population of Th(2 )cells (IL-4) compared with the control group. During and after remission induction we observed a decreased population of CD38(+) T cells, elevated percentages of helper T lymphocytes with IL-2R expression, and a rise in helper T lymphocytes producing IFN-gamma (Th(1)). During fever/infection, higher levels of activated T lymphocytes (CD4(+)HLA-DR(+), CD8(+)HLA-DR(+)), a rise in Th1, and no change in Th(2 )populations were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest T cell activation and Th(2 )predominance at the time of diagnosis and during remission induction in ALL in children. These results confirm the involvement of cellular immunity in the leukemic process and can be used in immune therapy in leukemia.
Luczyński
Włodzimierz
W
Department of Pediatric Oncology, Medical University of Białystok, Poland. vlodek@amb.edu.pl
Stasiak-Barmuta
Anna
A
Krawczuk-Rybak
Maryna
M
Malinowska
Iwona
I
D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013997:Time Factors
D018106:CD28 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011241:Prednisone