Immunogenetic factors determining the evolution of T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukaemia and associated cytopenias

Br J Haematol. 2007 Jan;136(2):237-48. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2006.06429.x. Epub 2006 Nov 30.

Abstract

T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukaemia (T-LGL) is a chronic clonal proliferation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). T-LGL presents with cytopenias, often accompanied by autoimmune diseases, suggesting clonal transformation arising from an initially polyclonal immune response. Various immunogenetic predisposition factors, previously described for both immune-mediated bone marrow failure and autoimmune conditions, may promote T-LGL evolution and/or development of cytopenias. The association of T-LGL was analysed with a number of immunogenetic factors in 66 patients, including human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genotype, KIR/KIR-L mismatch, CTLA-4 (+49 A/G),CD16-158V/F, CD45 polymorphisms, cytokine single nucleotide polymorphisms including: TNF-alpha (-308G/A), TGF-beta1 (codons 10 C/T, 25 G/C), IL-10 (-1082 G/A), IL-6 (-174 C/G), and IFN-gamma(+874 T/A). A statistically significant increase in A/A genotype for TNF-alpha-308, IL-10-1082, andCTLA-4 +49 was observed in T-LGL patients compared with control, suggesting that the G allele serves a protective role in each case. No association was found between specific KIR/HLA profile and disease. KIR/KIR-L analysis revealed significant mismatches between KIR3DL2 and KIR2DS1 and their ligands HLA-A3/11 and HLA-C group 2 (P = 0.03 and 0.01 respectively); the biological relevance of this finding is questionable. The significance of additional genetic polymorphisms and their clinical correlation to evolution of T-LGL requires future analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, Differentiation / genetics
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Humans
  • Immunogenetics
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / genetics
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / genetics
  • Leukemia, T-Cell / immunology*
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / genetics
  • Ligands
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Receptors, Cytokine / genetics
  • Receptors, IgG / genetics
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, KIR
  • Receptors, KIR3DL2
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • CTLA4 protein, human
  • Cytokines
  • FCGR3A protein, human
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • KIR3DL2 protein, human
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Cytokine
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, KIR
  • Receptors, KIR3DL2
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens