Depletion of CLL-associated patrolling monocytes and macrophages controls disease development and repairs immune dysfunction in vivo

Leukemia. 2016 Mar;30(3):570-9. doi: 10.1038/leu.2015.305. Epub 2015 Nov 2.

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by apoptosis resistance and a dysfunctional immune system. Previous reports suggested a potential role of myeloid cells in mediating these defects. However, the composition and function of CLL-associated myeloid cells have not been thoroughly investigated in vivo. Using the Eμ-TCL1 mouse model, we observed severe skewing of myeloid cell populations with CLL development. Monocytes and M2-like macrophages infiltrated the peritoneal cavity of leukemic mice. Monocytes also accumulated in the spleen in a CCR2-dependent manner, and were severely skewed toward Ly6C(low) patrolling or nonclassical phenotype. In addition, the percentage of MHC-II(hi) dendritic cells and macrophages significantly dropped in the spleen. Gene expression profiling of CLL-associated monocytes revealed aberrantly high PD-L1 expression and secretion of multiple inflammatory and immunosuppressive cytokines like interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α and CXCL9. In vivo myeloid cell depletion using liposomal Clodronate resulted in a significant control of CLL development accompanied by a pronounced repair of innate immune cell phenotypes and a partial resolution of systemic inflammation. In addition, CLL-associated skewing of T cells toward antigen-experienced phenotypes was repaired. The presented data suggest that targeting nonmalignant myeloid cells might serve as a novel immunotherapeutical strategy for CLL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Ly / genetics
  • Antigens, Ly / immunology
  • B7-H1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-H1 Antigen / immunology
  • Chemokine CXCL9 / genetics
  • Chemokine CXCL9 / immunology
  • Clodronic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic*
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / genetics
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / immunology
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Monocytes / drug effects*
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / pathology
  • Peritoneal Cavity / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • Receptors, CCR2 / genetics
  • Receptors, CCR2 / immunology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Ly
  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • Ccr2 protein, mouse
  • Cd274 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CXCL9
  • Cxcl9 protein, mouse
  • IL10 protein, mouse
  • Ly-6C antigen, mouse
  • Receptors, CCR2
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Clodronic Acid
  • Interleukin-10