Depletion of CLL-associated patrolling monocytes and macrophages controls disease development and repairs immune dysfunction in vivo

BS Hanna, F McClanahan, H Yazdanparast… - Leukemia, 2016 - nature.com
BS Hanna, F McClanahan, H Yazdanparast, N Zaborsky, V Kalter, PM Rößner, A Benner
Leukemia, 2016nature.com
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by apoptosis resistance and a
dysfunctional immune system. Previous reports suggested a potential role of myeloid cells in
mediating these defects. However, the composition and function of CLL-associated myeloid
cells have not been thoroughly investigated in vivo. Using the Eμ-TCL1 mouse model, we
observed severe skewing of myeloid cell populations with CLL development. Monocytes
and M2-like macrophages infiltrated the peritoneal cavity of leukemic mice. Monocytes also …
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by apoptosis resistance and a dysfunctional immune system. Previous reports suggested a potential role of myeloid cells in mediating these defects. However, the composition and function of CLL-associated myeloid cells have not been thoroughly investigated in vivo. Using the Eμ-TCL1 mouse model, we observed severe skewing of myeloid cell populations with CLL development. Monocytes and M2-like macrophages infiltrated the peritoneal cavity of leukemic mice. Monocytes also accumulated in the spleen in a CCR2-dependent manner, and were severely skewed toward Ly6C low patrolling or nonclassical phenotype. In addition, the percentage of MHC-II hi dendritic cells and macrophages significantly dropped in the spleen. Gene expression profiling of CLL-associated monocytes revealed aberrantly high PD-L1 expression and secretion of multiple inflammatory and immunosuppressive cytokines like interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α and CXCL9. In vivo myeloid cell depletion using liposomal Clodronate resulted in a significant control of CLL development accompanied by a pronounced repair of innate immune cell phenotypes and a partial resolution of systemic inflammation. In addition, CLL-associated skewing of T cells toward antigen-experienced phenotypes was repaired. The presented data suggest that targeting nonmalignant myeloid cells might serve as a novel immunotherapeutical strategy for CLL.
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