Increased Perforin- and IL-21-Expressing NK Cells in Patients with Early-Stage Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract

Objective: CD5+CD19+ cells have a low proliferation capacity and elevated expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2, mostly in the G0/G1 cell phase and accumulate in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL). Natural killer (NK) cells have the ability to kill the intracellular pathogen-infected or cancer cells and secrete cytotoxic enzymes. This study evaluated the frequency, expression of cytotoxic enzymes, and intracellular cytokine levels of NK cells in CLL patients.

Materials and Methods: In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood samples of CLL patients (n=29) and healthy controls (n=16) by density gradient centrifugation method.The frequency of the total NK cells and the intracellular levels of perforin, granzyme, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-21, IL-4 and IL-17 in NK cells were investigated.

Results: Elevatedtotal NK cell frequency were found in the CLL patients compared to the healthy controls, and negatively correlated with CD5+CD19+ malign B cell frequency. Increased perforin expression was observed in patients’ total NK cells. Additionally, increased levels of IL-17 and IL-21 in total NK cell of CLL patients were obtained compared to healthy subjects.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that in the early stage of CLL, increased total NK cell frequency, and elevated perforin and IL-21 levels in NK cells might have a protective impact against the progression of the disease for CLL patients.

Keywords

• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• CLL
• Natural Killer Cells
• NK

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