The effect of IL-27 on activity of Purified CD56+ Cells of patient with B-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Introduction: B-Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a monoclonal malignancy of B lymphocytes characterized by the accumulation of CD5+ mature B cells in the blood, bone marrow and secondary lymph nodes. Many studies have confirmed the defect in the function of T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, which are the most responsible in killing of tumor cells in these patients. IL-27 belongs to the IL-6/IL-12 family of cytokines and induced proliferation of naive CD4+ T cells. IL-27 boosts antitumor immunity by contributing to the development of NK cells and CTLs and by exerting potent anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic activities.In this study, we examined the IL-27 effects on NK cell activity through phenotypic activation marker- CD69- a glycoprotein that rapid expresses upon cell activation.Methods: CLL Patient-Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and CD56+ cells purified from 5 CLL patients using Ficoll-paque and positive selection MACS. Purified cells cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% Penicillin/Streptomycin in presence and absence of recombinant human IL-27 (100 ng/ml) for 24, 48 and 72 hours in 37°C, 5% CO2 humidified incubator. The percent of CD69+/ CD56+ cells was determined using Flow cytometry.Results: We found that on CLL patient-CD56+ cells upon treatment with IL-27 (100 ng/ml), the percent of CD69 increases significantly in compared with the untreated cells in 48 hours (P value < 0.05). Furthermore, our data represent a significant difference of CD69% between three incubated times (P value < 0.05 and P value < 0.01).Discussion: According to our findings, rh-IL-27 has led to increase of purified CD56+ cells activity and expression of CD69 as a marker of activity in CLL patients. Since NK cells play an important role in killing tumor cells, treatment of them with this cytokine may also increase their cytotoxicity and killing activity. The hypothesis is under consideration in studies of our group.

Keywords:

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia , IL-27 , Leukemia