Conclusion
In conclusion, we have shown that an increased percentage of M-MDSC cells producing IL-10 and TGF-β1 in CLL patients may be associated with the suppression of the immune response against CLL. It can be assumed that the increased percentage of M-MDSC with an intracellular expression of IL-10 and TGF-β1 may be used in the future as the factor defining the group of patients with shorter time to onset of treatment.
Material and methods
Seventy CLL patients and 17 age-matched healthy volunteers were included in this study. Flow cytometric detection of Mo-MDSCs (CD14+CD11b+CD15-HLA-DR-/low) with intracellular IL-10 and TGF-c1 expression was done.
Methods
Seventy CLL patients and 17 age-matched healthy volunteers were included in this study. Flow cytometric detection of Mo-MDSCs (CD14+CD11b+CD15-HLA-DR-/low) with intracellular IL-10 and TGF-c1 expression was done.
Results
We found a significantly higher median percentage of M-MDSC with IL-10 or TGF-β1 expression in CLL patients than in healthy volunteers. The percentage of M-MDSC with intracellular IL-10 or TGF-β1 expression was significantly lower in CLL patients at stage 0 as compared to the stages I/II and III/IV according to Rai stages. The percentage of M-MDSC with intracellular TGF-β1 expression was significantly higher in ZAP-70-positive and CD38-positive patients compared with ZAP-70-negative and group of CD38-negative ones. There was also a significantly higher percentage of M-MDSC positive for intracellular TGF-β expression in patients carrying the 11q22.3 and/or the 17p13.1 deletion than in patients without these genetic aberrations. The percentage of M-MDSC IL-10-positive and M-MDSC TGF-β1-positive measured at the time of diagnosis was higher in patients requiring therapy as compared to patients without treatment during the observation period.