CD14 + cells are able to differentiate into large and adherent cells if in contact with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells or healthy B lymphocytes. In CLL these cells, called CLL-nurse like cells (NLCs), express a very high amount of CD163 and CD68 and are able to rescue CLL cells through CCL4 production. Adherent cells derived from healthy donors, called HD-NLCs, express very little CD163 and CD68, do not produce CCL4 and are unable to rescue CCL cells. This study reveals that CLL-NLCs are the specific nurse cells in CLL, protecting CLL cells from death.
Keywords: CD163; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; nurse like cells; tumor-associated macrophages.