The levels of TNF alpha, IL4 and IL10 production by T-cells in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL)

Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin (IL) 4 and IL10 are i mportant for the growth and survival of the leukaemic cells in B-cell chron ic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL). The present study investigates the produc tion of TNF alpha, IL4 and ILIO in patients with B-CLL. Significant increas es in the TNF alpha and IL4 mean levels compared to normal control CD2(+)-c ells were observed for B-CLL lymphocytes (TNF alpha: P = 0.0004 and IL4: P = 0.0026). By contrast, the mean level of IL10 produced by purified B-CLL C D2(+)-cells was significantly lower than that seen with normal control T-ce lls (P = 0.0136). No significant difference in the percentage (%) of T-cell s that expressed cytoplasmic TNF alpha, IL4 and ILIO was observed between B -CLL and normal T-cells. However, a significant increase in the mean level of intracellular TNF alpha and IL4 expression was observed in B-CLL compare d with normal control T-cells (TNF alpha: P = 0.031; IL4: P = 0.0027). The increased expression of cytoplasmic TNF alpha and IL4 appeared to be associ ated with increased cytokine production in the tested samples. The differen ces observed with some B-CLL cases in the production of TNF alpha, IL4 and IL10 by peripheral blood T-cells may suggest survival mechanisms for the le ukaemic cells in these patients. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.