Of Lymph Nodes and CLL Cells: Deciphering the Role of CCR7 in the Pathogenesis of CLL and Understanding Its Potential as Therapeutic Target

Front Immunol. 2021 Mar 24:12:662866. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.662866. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The lymph node (LN) is an essential tissue for achieving effective immune responses but it is also critical in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Within the multitude of signaling pathways aberrantly regulated in CLL the homeostatic axis composed by the chemokine receptor CCR7 and its ligands is the main driver for directing immune cells to home into the LN. In this literature review, we address the roles of CCR7 in the pathophysiology of CLL, and how this chemokine receptor is of critical importance to develop more rational and effective therapies for this malignancy.

Keywords: CCR7; CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia); immunotherapy; lymph node; pathophysiology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Chemotaxis / genetics
  • Chemotaxis / immunology
  • Disease Susceptibility*
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / etiology*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology
  • Ligands
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Lymph Nodes / metabolism*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, CCR7 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, CCR7 / genetics
  • Receptors, CCR7 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, CCR7