Cytokine-driven loss of plasmacytoid dendritic cell function in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by the accumulation of CD5 + CD19 + B cells in the peripheral blood, and in primary and secondary lymphoid organs. A major complication associated with CLL is severe recurrent infections, which are often fatal. Vulnerability to infection is due to a wide variety of immunological defects, yet the initiating events of immunodeficiency in CLL are unclear. Using CLL patient samples and a mouse model of CLL, we have discovered that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which underpin the activity of effector immune cells critical for anti-viral immunity and anti-tumor responses, are reduced in number and functionally impaired in progressive CLL. ..