Chronic myeloid leukemia-derived extracellular vesicles increase Foxp3 level and suppressive activity of thymic regulatory T cells

Eur J Immunol. 2020 Apr;50(4):606-609. doi: 10.1002/eji.201848051. Epub 2019 Dec 5.

Abstract

Mechanisms driving immunosuppression in chronic myeloid leukemia are mostly unknown. We show that leukemic extracellular vesicles (EVs) target lymphocytes and amplify suppressive function of thymic regulatory T cells, by driving expression of Foxp3 transcription factor. This could facilitate expansion of leukemic cells outside the bone marrow, leading to blast crisis.

Keywords: Foxp3; chronic myeloid leukemia; extracellular vesicles; immunosuppression; regulatory T cells.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Extracellular Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Thymus Gland / immunology*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors