Meta-Analysis Reveals Significant Sex Differences in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Progression in the Transgenic Mouse Model.

The transgenic mouse model represents the most widely and extensively used animal model for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In this report, we performed a meta-analysis of leukemia progression in over 300 individual transgenic mice and discovered a significantly accelerated disease progression in females compared to males. This difference is also reflected in an aggressive CLL mouse model with additional deletion of besides the transgene.

CD74 is dispensable for development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in -TCL1 transgenic mice.

CD74 is a surface protein expressed on immune cells, which acts as receptor for the chemokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Signaling the MIF/CD74-axis has been reported to be important for the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We wanted to clarify the role of CD74 in MIF-induced signaling/leukemic development.

LYN Kinase in the Tumor Microenvironment Is Essential for the Progression of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells strictly depends on the support of an appropriate tumor microenvironment. Here, we demonstrate that LYN kinase is essential for CLL progression. Lyn deficiency results in a significantly reduced CLL burden in vivo.

CD44 regulates the apoptotic response and promotes disease development in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The cell-surface glycoprotein CD44 is expressed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but its functional role in this disease is poorly characterized. We therefore investigated the contribution of CD44 to CLL in a murine disease model, the Eµ-TCL1 transgenic mouse, and in CLL patients. Surface CD44 increased during murine CLL development.

Delayed development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the absence of macrophage migration inhibitory factor.

Unlabelled: Survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells depends on stimuli provided by a suitable microenvironment. The factors and mechanisms providing this growth support for CLL cells are not fully understood. We found that plasma levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a proinflammatory and immunoregulatory chemokine, were elevated in CLL patients.