Dynamics of microvesicle generation in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: implication in disease progression

Leukemia. 2017 Feb;31(2):350-360. doi: 10.1038/leu.2016.217. Epub 2016 Aug 2.

Abstract

Previously, we reported that B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients contained elevated levels of microvesicles (MVs). However, given the quiescent nature of CLL B-cells and the relative indolence of the disease, the dynamics of MV generation and their unique phenotypes are not clearly defined. In this study, we find that CLL B-cells generate MVs spontaneously and can be further induced by B-cell receptor-ligation. Most interestingly, CLL B-cells predominantly generate CD52+ MVs, but not CD19+ MVs in vitro, suggesting preferential usage of CD52 into leukemic-MVs and that the CLL plasma MV phenotypes corroborate well with the in vitro findings. Importantly, we detected increased accumulation of CD52+ MVs in previously untreated CLL patients with progressive disease. Finally, sequential studies on MVs in pre- and post-therapy CLL patients demonstrate that although the plasma CD52+ MV levels drop significantly after therapy in most and remain at low levels in some patients, a trend of increased accumulation of CD52+ MVs was detected in majority of post-therapy CLL patients (25 of 33). In total, this study emphasizes that dynamic accumulation of CD52+ MVs in plasma can be used to study CLL progression and may be a useful biomarker for patients as they progress and require therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Antigens, CD19 / metabolism
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure
  • Biomarkers
  • CD52 Antigen
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell-Derived Microparticles / metabolism*
  • Cell-Derived Microparticles / ultrastructure
  • Disease Progression
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / pathology*
  • Time-to-Treatment
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, CD19
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers
  • CD52 Antigen
  • CD52 protein, human
  • Glycoproteins