Reduced IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) expression by CD4 T cells inpatients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

CD7 co-expression by CD4 T cells has been reported to be higher in the Th1 compared with the Th2 functional subset. Clinical immunodeficiency and immu ne dysregulation are more prevalent in the advanced stages of B cell chroni c lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL). To analyse this further 25 patients with B -CLL and 11 healthy subjects were examined for cell surface CD7 and intrace llular IFN-gamma and IL-4 expression in the peripheral blood CD4(+) T helpe r cell population. Significantly decreased CD7, IFN-gamma and IL-4 expressi on was observed in the patients with B-CLL (P < 0.001). While CD7 negativit y and IL-4 expression were more frequent in the later stages of the disease , this did not attain statistical significance. These results suggest a pos sible explanation for the reduced cellular and humoral immunity in B-CLL.