Chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells induce defective LFA-1–directed T-cell motility by altering Rho GTPase signaling that is reversible with lenalidomide

AG Ramsay, R Evans, S Kiaii… - Blood, The Journal …, 2013 - ashpublications.org
AG Ramsay, R Evans, S Kiaii, L Svensson, N Hogg, JG Gribben
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2013ashpublications.org
T lymphocytes have an essential role in adaptive immunity and rely on the activation of
integrin lymphocyte function–associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) to mediate cell arrest and
migration. In cancer, malignant cells modify the immune microenvironment to block effective
host antitumor responses. We show for the first time that CD4 and CD8 T cells from patients
with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) exhibit globally impaired LFA-1–mediated
migration and that this defect is mediated by direct tumor cell contact. We show that following …
Abstract
T lymphocytes have an essential role in adaptive immunity and rely on the activation of integrin lymphocyte function–associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) to mediate cell arrest and migration. In cancer, malignant cells modify the immune microenvironment to block effective host antitumor responses. We show for the first time that CD4 and CD8 T cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) exhibit globally impaired LFA-1–mediated migration and that this defect is mediated by direct tumor cell contact. We show that following the coculture of previously healthy T cells with CLL cells, subsequent LFA-1 engagement leads to altered Rho GTPase activation signaling by downregulating RhoA and Rac1, while upregulating Cdc42. Of clinical relevance, repair of this T-cell defect was demonstrated using the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide, which completely rescued adhesion and motility function by restoring normal Rho GTPase activation signaling. Our report identifies a novel cancer immune evasion mechanism whereby tumor cells induce Rho GTPase signaling defects in T cells that prevent appropriate LFA-1 activation and motility. We believe these findings identify important biomarkers and highlight the clinical utility of immunotherapy to rescue normal T-cell function in CLLs that are likely to have relevance in other cancers.
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