1
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Ringelstein-Harlev S, Fanadka M, Horowitz NA, Bettman NP, Katz T. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, activation of the thrombopoietin receptor promotes T-cell inhibitory properties, contributing to immunosuppression. Eur J Haematol 2023; 110:371-378. [PMID: 36478591 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the immune system is skewed towards a suppressive milieu. Levels of thrombopoietin (TPO), promoting cellular immune regulatory activity in immune thrombocytopenic purpura, were shown to be elevated in CLL patients. This study explored TPO as a potential immunomodulator, supporting CLL progression. We evaluated CLL cell-induced expression of TPO receptor (TPO-R) on T-cells and effects of its activation on T-cell responses. CLL cell involvement in TPO generation was also assessed. Baseline TPO-R expression on CD4 + T-cells was found to be higher in CLL patients than in healthy controls (HC). Exposure of HC-T-cells to B-cells, especially to CLL-B-cells stimulated with B-cell activating molecules, resulted in enhanced TPO-R expression on T-cells. CLL-T-cell stimulation with TPO reduced their proliferation and expanded the regulatory T-cell (Treg) population. At baseline, phosphorylation of STAT5, known to impact the Treg phenotype, was elevated in CLL-T-cells relative to those of HC. Exposure to TPO further enhanced STAT5 phosphorylation in CLL-T-cells, possibly driving the observed Treg expansion. The CLL immune milieu is involved in promotion of inhibitory features in T-cells through increased TPO-R levels and TPO-induced intracellular signaling. TPO and its signaling pathway could potentially support immunosuppression in CLL, and may emerge as novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimrit Ringelstein-Harlev
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.,The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Mona Fanadka
- The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Netanel A Horowitz
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.,The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Noam P Bettman
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel
| | - Tami Katz
- Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.,The Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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2
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Microenvironment components and spatially resolved single-cell transcriptome atlas of breast cancer metastatic axillary lymph nodes. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2022; 54:1336-1348. [PMID: 36148946 PMCID: PMC9828062 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2022131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As an indicator of clinical prognosis, lymph node metastasis of breast cancer has drawn great attention. Many reports have revealed the characteristics of metastatic breast cancer cells, however, the effect of breast cancer cells on the microenvironment components of lymph nodes and spatial transcriptome atlas remains unclear. In this study, by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics, we investigate the transcriptional profiling of six surgically excised lymph node samples and the spatial organization of one positive lymph node. We identify the existence of osteoclast-like giant cells (OGC) which have high expressions of CD68 and CD163, the biomarkers of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Through a spatially resolved transcriptomic method, we find that OGCs are scattered among metastatic breast cancer cells. In the lymph node microenvironment with breast cancer cell infiltration, TAMs are enriched in protumoral pathways including NF-κB signaling pathways and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways. Further subclustering demonstrates the potential differentiation trajectory in which macrophages develop from a state of active chemokine production to a state of active lymphocyte activation. This study is the first to integrate scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics in the tumor microenvironment of axillary lymph nodes, offering a systematic approach to delve into breast cancer lymph node metastasis.
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3
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Kumar R, Bhatia M, Pai K. Role of Chemokines in the Pathogenesis of Visceral Leishmaniasis. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:5441-5461. [DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220509171244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL; also known as kala-azar), caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani is characterized by the inability of the host to generate an effective immune response. The manifestations of the disease depends on involvement of various immune components such as activation of macrophages, cell mediated immunity, secretion of cytokines and chemokines, etc. Macrophages are the final host cells for Leishmania parasites to multiply, and they are the key to a controlled or aggravated response that leads to clinical symptoms. The two most common macrophage phenotypes are M1 and M2. The pro-inflammatory microenvironment (mainly by IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, and TNF-α cytokines) and tissue injury driven by classically activated macrophages (M1-like) and wound healing driven by alternatively activated macrophages (M2-like) in an anti-inflammatory environment (mainly by IL-10, TGF-β, chemokine ligand (CCL)1, CCL2, CCL17, CCL18, and CCL22). Moreover, on polarized Th cells, chemokine receptors are expressed differently. Typically, CXCR3 and CCR5 are preferentially expressed on polarized Th1 cells, whereas CCR3, CCR4 and CCR8 have been associated with the Th2 phenotype. Further, the ability of the host to produce a cell-mediated immune response capable of regulating and/or eliminating the parasite is critical in the fight against the disease. Here, we review the interactions between parasites and chemokines and chemokines receptors in the pathogenesis of VL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kalpana Pai
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra
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4
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Peters FS, Strefford JC, Eldering E, Kater AP. T-cell dysfunction in chronic lymphocytic leukemia from an epigenetic perspective. Haematologica 2021; 106:1234-1243. [PMID: 33691381 PMCID: PMC8586819 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.267914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunotherapeutic approaches such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) thus far have not met the high expectations. Therefore it is essential to better understand the molecular mechanisms of CLLinduced T-cell dysfunction. Even though a significant number of studies are available on T-cell function and dysfunction in CLL patients, none examine dysfunction at the epigenomic level. In non-malignant T-cell research, epigenomics is widely employed to define the differentiation pathway into T-cell exhaustion. Additionally, metabolic restrictions in the tumor microenvironment that cause T-cell dysfunction are often mediated by epigenetic changes. With this review paper we argue that understanding the epigenetic (dys)regulation in T cells of CLL patients should be leveled to the knowledge we currently have of the neoplastic B cells themselves. This will permit a complete understanding of how these immune cell interactions regulate T- and B-cell function. Here we relate the cellular and phenotypic characteristics of CLL-induced T-cell dysfunction to epigenetic studies of T-cell regulation emerging from chronic viral infection and tumor models. This paper proposes a framework for future studies into the epigenetic regulation of CLL-induced Tcell dysfunction, knowledge that will help to guide improvements in the utility of autologous T-cell based therapies in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur S Peters
- Experimental Immunology; Departments of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Amsterdam Institute of Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands and.
| | - Jonathan C Strefford
- Departments of Academic Unit of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Eric Eldering
- Experimental Immunology; Departments of Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Amsterdam Institute of Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arnon P Kater
- Departments of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Amsterdam Institute of Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Departments of Lymphoma and Myeloma Center Amsterdam, LYMMCARE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands and
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5
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Ewunkem AJ, Deve M, Harrison SH, Muganda PM. Diepoxybutane induces the expression of a novel p53-target gene XCL1 that mediates apoptosis in exposed human lymphoblasts. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2020; 34:e22446. [PMID: 31953984 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Diepoxybutane (DEB) is the most potent active metabolite of the environmental chemical 1,3-butadiene (BD). BD is a human carcinogen that exhibits multiorgan systems toxicity. Our previous studies demonstrated that the X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (XCL1) gene expression was upregulated 3.3-fold in a p53-dependent manner in TK6 lymphoblasts undergoing DEB-induced apoptosis. The tumor-suppressor p53 protein is a transcription factor that regulates a wide variety of cellular processes, including apoptosis, through its various target genes. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine whether XCL1 is a novel direct p53 transcriptional target gene and deduce its role in DEB-induced toxicity in human lymphoblasts. We utilized the bioinformatics tool p53scan to search for known p53 consensus sequences within the XCL1 promoter region. The XCL1 gene promoter region was found to contain the p53 consensus sequences 5'-AGACATGCCTAGACATGCCT-3' at three positions relative to the transcription start site (TSS). Furthermore, the XCL1 promoter region was found, through reporter gene assays, to be transactivated at least threefold by wild-type p53 promoter in DEB-exposed human lymphoblasts. Inactivation of the XCL1 promoter p53-binding motif located at -2.579 kb relative to TSS reduced the transactivation function of p53 on this promoter in DEB-exposed cells by 97%. Finally, knockdown of XCL1 messenger RNA with specific small interfering RNA inhibited DEB-induced apoptosis in human lymphoblasts by 50%. These observations demonstrate, for the first time, that XCL1 is a novel DEB-induced direct p53 transcriptional target gene that mediates apoptosis in DEB-exposed human lymphoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akamu J Ewunkem
- Department of Energy and Environmental Systems, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina
| | - Maya Deve
- Department of Biology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina
| | - Scott H Harrison
- Department of Biology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina
| | - Perpetua M Muganda
- Department of Biology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina
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6
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Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) has long been thought to be an immunosuppressive disease and abnormalities in T-cell subset distribution and function have been observed in many studies. However, the role of T cells (if any) in disease progression remains unclear and has not been directly studied. This has changed with the advent of new therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor-T cells, which actively use retargeted patient-derived T cells as "living drugs" for CLL. However complete responses are relatively low (~26%) and recent studies have suggested the differentiation status of patient T cells before therapy may influence efficacy. Non-chemotherapeutic drugs, such as idelalisib and ibrutinib, also have an impact on T cell populations in CLL patients. This review will highlight what is known about T cells in CLL during disease progression and after treatment, and discuss the prospects of using T cells as predictive biomarkers for immune status and response to therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Adenine/analogs & derivatives
- B-Lymphocytes/immunology
- B-Lymphocytes/pathology
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/therapy
- Piperidines
- Purines/therapeutic use
- Pyrazoles/therapeutic use
- Pyrimidines/therapeutic use
- Quinazolinones/therapeutic use
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Man
- Section of Haematology, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Peter Henley
- Section of Haematology, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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7
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Bird EV, Iannitti T, Christmas CR, Obara I, Andreev VI, King AE, Boissonade FM. A Novel Role for Lymphotactin (XCL1) Signaling in the Nervous System: XCL1 Acts via its Receptor XCR1 to Increase Trigeminal Neuronal Excitability. Neuroscience 2018; 379:334-349. [PMID: 29588250 PMCID: PMC5953414 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
We identified XCR1 in the peripheral and central nervous systems and demonstrated its upregulation following nerve injury. In injured nerve, XCR1 is present in nerve fibers, CD45-positive leucocytes and Schwann cells. In Vc, XCR1 labeling is consistent with expression in terminals of Aδ- and C-fiber afferents and excitatory interneurons. XCL1 increases neuronal excitability and activates intracellular signaling in Vc, a pain-processing region of the CNS. These data provide the first evidence that the XCL1-XCR1 axis may play a role in trigeminal pain pathways.
Chemokines are known to have a role in the nervous system, influencing a range of processes including the development of chronic pain. To date there are very few studies describing the functions of the chemokine lymphotactin (XCL1) or its receptor (XCR1) in the nervous system. We investigated the role of the XCL1-XCR1 axis in nociceptive processing, using a combination of immunohistochemical, pharmacological and electrophysiological techniques. Expression of XCR1 in the rat mental nerve was elevated 3 days following chronic constriction injury (CCI), compared with 11 days post-CCI and sham controls. XCR1 co-existed with neuronal marker PGP9.5, leukocyte common antigen CD45 and Schwann cell marker S-100. In the trigeminal root and white matter of the brainstem, XCR1-positive cells co-expressed the oligodendrocyte marker Olig2. In trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc), XCR1 immunoreactivity was present in the outer laminae and was colocalized with vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGlut2), but not calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or isolectin B4 (IB4). Incubation of brainstem slices with XCL1 induced activation of c-Fos, ERK and p38 in the superficial layers of Vc, and enhanced levels of intrinsic excitability. These effects were blocked by the XCR1 antagonist viral CC chemokine macrophage inhibitory protein-II (vMIP-II). This study has identified for the first time a role for XCL1-XCR1 in nociceptive processing, demonstrating upregulation of XCR1 at nerve injury sites and identifying XCL1 as a modulator of central excitability and signaling via XCR1 in Vc, a key area for modulation of orofacial pain, thus indicating XCR1 as a potential target for novel analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma V Bird
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK
| | - Tommaso Iannitti
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Claire R Christmas
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK
| | - Ilona Obara
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Veselin I Andreev
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK
| | - Anne E King
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Fiona M Boissonade
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK.
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8
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Kokhaei P, Hojjat-Farsangi M, Mozaffari F, Moshfegh A, Pak F, Rashidy-Pour A, Palma M, Hansson L, Österborg A, Mellstedt H. Autologous T cells expressing the oncogenic transcription factor KLF6-SV1 prevent apoptosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192839. [PMID: 29432497 PMCID: PMC5809069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Crosstalk between leukemic cells and the tumor microenvironment is of importance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). T cells seem to sustain the survival of CLL cells by various mechanisms. The Krüppel-like family of transcription factors (KLFs) are identified as regulators of proliferation and cell death. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of the wild type (WT) gene KLF6 and the oncogenic splice variant 1 (KLF6-SV1) at the mRNA level in subsets of T cells from CLL patients (n = 29), multiple myeloma patients (n = 6) and normal donors (n = 10). RNA Silencing was used for wtKLF6 and KLF6-SV1. Tumor cell apoptosis was measured. A significant overexpression of wtKLF6 and KLF6-SV1 in T cells of CLL patients compared to normal donors and myeloma patients was noted (p<0.002). Western blot showed that both wtKLF6 and KLF6-SV1 were expressed in purified T cells from CLL patients. KLF6-SV1 siRNA transfection induced a significant down-regulation of KLF6-SV1 in CLL T cells, which lost the capability to sustain the growth of leukemic cells. However, no such a significant effect was seen after wtKLF6 transfection of the autologous T cells. The results suggest that KLF6-SV1 may play a role in the regulation of survival CLL cells.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Apoptosis/genetics
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Humans
- Kruppel-Like Factor 6/antagonists & inhibitors
- Kruppel-Like Factor 6/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/pathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multiple Myeloma/genetics
- Multiple Myeloma/pathology
- Oncogenes
- Protein Isoforms/antagonists & inhibitors
- Protein Isoforms/genetics
- RNA Interference
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Transfection
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Parviz Kokhaei
- Immune and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Cancer Research Center and Department of Immunology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hojjat-Farsangi
- Immune and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Medicine Research Center and Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Fariba Mozaffari
- Immune and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ali Moshfegh
- Immune and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fatemeh Pak
- Cancer Research Center and Department of Immunology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Physiology Research Center and Department of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Marzia Palma
- Immune and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lotta Hansson
- Immune and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Österborg
- Immune and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Håkan Mellstedt
- Immune and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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9
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Wu J, Xu X, Lee EJ, Shull AY, Pei L, Awan F, Wang X, Choi JH, Deng L, Xin HB, Zhong W, Liang J, Miao Y, Wu Y, Fan L, Li J, Xu W, Shi H. Phenotypic alteration of CD8+ T cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia is associated with epigenetic reprogramming. Oncotarget 2018; 7:40558-40570. [PMID: 27302925 PMCID: PMC5130028 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppression is a prevalent clinical feature in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, with many patients demonstrating increased susceptibility to infections as well as increased failure of an antitumor immune response. However, much is currently not understood regarding the precise mechanisms that attribute to this immunosuppressive phenotype in CLL. To provide further clarity to this particular phenomenon, we analyzed the T-cell profile of CLL patient samples within a large cohort and observed that patients with an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio had a shorter time to first treatment as well as overall survival. These observations coincided with higher expression of the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 in CLL patient CD8+ T cells when compared to age-matched healthy donors. Interestingly, we discovered that increased PD-1 expression in CD8+ T cells corresponds with decreased DNA methylation levels in a distal upstream locus of the PD-1 gene PDCD1. Further analysis using luciferase reporter assays suggests that the identified PDCD1 distal upstream region acts as an enhancer for PDCD1 transcription and this region becomes demethylated during activation of naïve CD8+ T cells by anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies and IL2. Finally, we conducted a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis comparing CD8+ T cells from CLL patients against healthy donors and identified additional differentially methylated genes with known immune regulatory functions including CCR6 and KLRG1. Taken together, our findings reveal the occurrence of epigenetic reprogramming taking place within CLL patient CD8+ T cells and highlight the potential mechanism of how immunosuppression is accomplished in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazhu Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Xiaojing Xu
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Eun-Joon Lee
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Austin Y Shull
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Lirong Pei
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Farrukh Awan
- Division of Hematology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Jeong-Hyeon Choi
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Libin Deng
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Hong-Bo Xin
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Wenxun Zhong
- Department of Statistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jinhua Liang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yi Miao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Yujie Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Lei Fan
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Jianyong Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Huidong Shi
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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10
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Colado A, Almejún MB, Podaza E, Risnik D, Stanganelli C, Elías EE, Dos Santos P, Slavutsky I, Fernández Grecco H, Cabrejo M, Bezares RF, Giordano M, Gamberale R, Borge M. The kinase inhibitors R406 and GS-9973 impair T cell functions and macrophage-mediated anti-tumor activity of rituximab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2017; 66:461-473. [PMID: 28011996 PMCID: PMC11028675 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1946-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Small molecules targeting kinases involved in B cell receptor signaling are showing encouraging clinical activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. Fostamatinib (R406) and entospletinib (GS-9973) are ATP-competitive inhibitors designed to target spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) that have shown clinical activity with acceptable toxicity in trials with CLL patients. Preclinical studies with these inhibitors in CLL have focused on their effect in patient-derived leukemic B cells. In this work we show that clinically relevant doses of R406 and GS-9973 impaired the activation and proliferation of T cells from CLL patients. This effect could not be ascribed to Syk-inhibition given that we show that T cells from CLL patients do not express Syk protein. Interestingly, ζ-chain-associated protein kinase (ZAP)-70 phosphorylation was diminished by both inhibitors upon TCR stimulation on T cells. In addition, we found that both agents reduced macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of rituximab-coated CLL cells. Overall, these results suggest that in CLL patients treated with R406 or GS-9973 T cell functions, as well as macrophage-mediated anti-tumor activity of rituximab, might be impaired. The potential consequences for CLL-treated patients are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Colado
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Oncológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Pacheco de Melo 3081, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Almejún
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Oncológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Pacheco de Melo 3081, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Enrique Podaza
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Oncológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Pacheco de Melo 3081, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Denise Risnik
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Oncológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Pacheco de Melo 3081, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carmen Stanganelli
- Servicio de Patología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Hematológicas-ANM, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Esteban Enrique Elías
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Oncológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Pacheco de Melo 3081, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Dos Santos
- Laboratorio de Genética de Neoplasias Linfoides, IMEX-CONICET-ANM, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Irma Slavutsky
- Laboratorio de Genética de Neoplasias Linfoides, IMEX-CONICET-ANM, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - María Cabrejo
- Departamento de Hematología, Sanatorio Julio Méndez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Mirta Giordano
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Oncológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Pacheco de Melo 3081, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Romina Gamberale
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Oncológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Pacheco de Melo 3081, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Borge
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Oncológica, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Academia Nacional de Medicina (ANM), Pacheco de Melo 3081, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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11
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Yamamoto H, Ryu J, Min E, Oi N, Bai R, Zykova TA, Yu DH, Moriyama K, Bode AM, Dong Z. TRAF1 Is Critical for DMBA/Solar UVR-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis. J Invest Dermatol 2017; 137:1322-1332. [PMID: 28131816 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
TRAF1 is a member of the TRAF protein family, which regulates the canonical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling cascades. Although aberrant TRAF1 expression in tumors has been reported, the role of TRAF1 remains elusive. Here, we report that TRAF1 is required for solar UV-induced skin carcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that TRAF1 expression is up-regulated in human actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma. In vivo studies indicated that TRAF1 expression levels in mouse skin are induced by short-term solar UV irradiation, and a long-term skin carcinogenesis study showed that deletion of TRAF1 in mice results in a significant inhibition of skin tumor formation. Moreover, we show that TRAF1 is required for solar UV-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase-5 (ERK5) phosphorylation and the expression of AP-1 family members (c-Fos/c-Jun). Mechanistic studies showed that TRAF1 expression enhances the ubiquitination of ERK5 on lysine 184, which is necessary for its kinase activity and AP-1 activation. Overall, our results suggest that TRAF1 mediates ERK5 activity by regulating the upstream effectors of ERK5 and also by modulating its ubiquitination status. Targeting TRAF1 function might lead to strategies for preventing and treating skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
| | - Joohyun Ryu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eli Min
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
| | - Naomi Oi
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ruihua Bai
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tatyana A Zykova
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
| | - Dong Hoon Yu
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kenji Moriyama
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mukogawa Women's University, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Ann M Bode
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA
| | - Zigang Dong
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota, USA.
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12
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Fox JC, Nakayama T, Tyler RC, Sander TL, Yoshie O, Volkman BF. Structural and agonist properties of XCL2, the other member of the C-chemokine subfamily. Cytokine 2015; 71:302-11. [PMID: 25497737 PMCID: PMC4297508 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2014.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Known for its unusual metamorphic native state structure, XCL1 has been the focus of most efforts to elucidate the structural, functional, and physiological properties of chemokines in the C subfamily. By comparison, its closely related paralog XCL2 remains virtually uncharacterized. Based on the importance of the chemokine N-terminus in receptor activation, it was hypothesized that two amino acid differences in XCL2 would alter its agonist activity relative to XCL1 for their shared receptor XCR1. This present study reveals several properties of XCL2 that were unexamined until now. Structurally, XCL1 and XCL2 are very similar, exchanging between the monomeric chemokine fold and an unrelated dimeric state under physiological NaCl and temperature conditions. Ca(2+) flux, chemotaxis, and heparin binding assays showed that the monomer form of XCL2 is responsible for G protein-coupled receptor activation while the dimeric form is important for GAG binding. Despite their high structural similarity, XCL2 displays a slightly higher affinity for heparin than XCL1. Because their in vitro functional profiles are virtually identical, distinct physiological roles for XCL1 and XCL2 are probably encoded at the level of expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie C Fox
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Takashi Nakayama
- Division of Chemotherapy, Kinki University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Higashi-osaka 577-8502, Japan
| | - Robert C Tyler
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Tara L Sander
- Department of Pediatric Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Osamu Yoshie
- Kinki University, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka 589-851, Japan
| | - Brian F Volkman
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
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13
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Palau N, Julià A, Ferrándiz C, Puig L, Fonseca E, Fernández E, López-Lasanta M, Tortosa R, Marsal S. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis of T cell activation reveals differential gene expression associated with psoriasis. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:825. [PMID: 24267790 PMCID: PMC4046651 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which T cells have a predominant role in initiating and perpetuating the chronic inflammation in skin. However, the mechanisms that regulate T cell activation in psoriasis are still incompletely understood. The objective of the present study was to characterize the main genetic pathways associated with T cell activation in psoriasis. RESULTS Gene expression profiles from in vitro activated T cells were obtained from 17 psoriasis patients and 7 healthy controls using Illumina HT-12 v4 microarrays. From a total of 47,321 analyzed transcripts, 42 genes were found to be differentially expressed between psoriasis and controls (FDR p-value < 0.1, absolute fold-change > 1.2). Using an independent cohort of 8 patients and 8 healthy controls we validated the overexpression of SPATS2L (p-value =0.0009) and KLF6 (p-value =0.0012) genes in activated T cells from psoriasis patients. Using weighted correlation analysis we identified SPATS2L and KLF6 coexpression networks, which were also significantly associated with psoriasis (p-value < 0.05). Gene Ontology analysis allowed the identification of several biological processes associated with each coexpression network. Finally, using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis over the global T cell transcriptome we also found additional genetic pathways strongly associated with psoriasis (p-value < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS This study has identified two new genes, SPATS2L and KLF6, strongly associated with T cell activation in psoriasis. Functional analyses of the gene expression profiles also revealed new biological processes and genetic pathways associated with psoriasis. The results of this study provide an important insight into the biology of this common chronic inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Palau
- Rheumatology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona 08035, Spain.
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14
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Göthert JR, Eisele L, Klein-Hitpass L, Weber S, Zesewitz ML, Sellmann L, Röth A, Pircher H, Dührsen U, Dürig J. Expanded CD8+ T cells of murine and human CLL are driven into a senescent KLRG1+ effector memory phenotype. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2013; 62:1697-1709. [PMID: 24022692 PMCID: PMC11029347 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-013-1473-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Altered numbers and functions of T cells have previously been demonstrated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. However, dynamics and specific T-cell subset alterations have not been studied in great detail. Therefore, we studied CLL blood lymphocyte subsets of individual patients in a longitudinal manner. Dynamic expansions of blood CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell numbers were consistently associated with a progressively increasing CLL leukemic compartment. Interestingly, the T-cell subset expansion over time was more pronounced in CD38 + CLL. Additionally, we performed gene expression profiling of CD3 + T cells of CLL patients and normal donors. Using gene set enrichment analysis, we found significant enrichment of genes with higher expression in CLL T cells within CD8+ effector memory and terminal effector T-cell gene signatures. In agreement with these data, we observed a marked expansion of phenotypic CD8 + effector memory T cells in CLL by flow cytometry. Moreover, we observed that increments of CD8 + effector memory T cells in human CLL and also mouse CLL (Eμ-TCL1 model) were due to an expansion of the inhibitory killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) expressing cellular subset. Furthermore, higher plasma levels of the natural KLRG1 ligand E-cadherin were detected in CLL patients compared to normal donor controls. The predominance of KLRG1+ expression within CD8+ T cells in conjunction with increased systemic soluble E-cadherin might significantly contribute to CLL immune dysfunction and might additionally represent an important component of the CLL microenvironment.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Cadherins/genetics
- Cadherins/immunology
- Cadherins/metabolism
- Cell Membrane/immunology
- Cell Membrane/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Humans
- Immunologic Memory/genetics
- Immunologic Memory/immunology
- Immunophenotyping
- Lectins, C-Type/genetics
- Lectins, C-Type/immunology
- Lectins, C-Type/metabolism
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/immunology
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C3H
- Mice, Transgenic
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Phenotype
- Receptors, Immunologic/genetics
- Receptors, Immunologic/immunology
- Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/cytology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/immunology
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Transcriptome/genetics
- Transcriptome/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Rudolf Göthert
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Lewin Eisele
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Weber
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Marie-Louise Zesewitz
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Ludger Sellmann
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Röth
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Hanspeter Pircher
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dührsen
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Dürig
- Department of Hematology, West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany
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