Yuan-xin Sun1, Hai-li Kong2, Chuan-fang Liu1, Shuang Yu1, Tian Tian1, Dao-xin Ma3, Chun-yan Ji1. 1. Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Shandong Provincial Chest Hospital, 46 Lishan Road, Jinan, Shandong 250013, China. 3. Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China. Electronic address: daoxinma@sdu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Immunological disorder has shown to be related to the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The microenvironment of AML is immunosuppressive, favoring the survival of malignant hematopoietic cells. However, the systematic research on AML abnormal immune microenvironment, especially the T helper (Th) cells imbalance, remains unsettled. DESIGN AND METHODS: The levels of cytokines in bone marrow plasma including Th1-associated cytokine (IFN-γ), Th2-associated cytokine (IL-4), Th17-associated cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, and IL-21), regulatory T cell (Treg)-associated cytokines (IL-35 and IL-10) and Th22-associated cytokine (IL-22) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in AML patients and controls. The relative expression levels of IL-4, IL-10, and IL-21 mRNA were analyzed by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Significant differences on cytokine levels tested were observed among the AML newly-diagnosed (ND) patients, AML patients in complete remission (CR) and controls except IL-21 and IL-35. In AML-ND group IFN-γ level was positively correlated with IL-21 or IL-22 level. Additionally, significant associations were observed between IL-17, IL-21 and some clinical characteristics. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that many cytokines were abnormal in AML bone marrow microenvironment. The dysregulation of Th subsets cytokines is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of AML.
BACKGROUND: Immunological disorder has shown to be related to the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The microenvironment of AML is immunosuppressive, favoring the survival of malignant hematopoietic cells. However, the systematic research on AML abnormal immune microenvironment, especially the T helper (Th) cells imbalance, remains unsettled. DESIGN AND METHODS: The levels of cytokines in bone marrow plasma including Th1-associated cytokine (IFN-γ), Th2-associated cytokine (IL-4), Th17-associated cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, and IL-21), regulatory T cell (Treg)-associated cytokines (IL-35 and IL-10) and Th22-associated cytokine (IL-22) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in AMLpatients and controls. The relative expression levels of IL-4, IL-10, and IL-21 mRNA were analyzed by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Significant differences on cytokine levels tested were observed among the AML newly-diagnosed (ND) patients, AMLpatients in complete remission (CR) and controls except IL-21 and IL-35. In AML-ND group IFN-γ level was positively correlated with IL-21 or IL-22 level. Additionally, significant associations were observed between IL-17, IL-21 and some clinical characteristics. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that many cytokines were abnormal in AML bone marrow microenvironment. The dysregulation of Th subsets cytokines is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of AML.