Objective: The slow accumulation of malignant cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) suggests a defect in the induction of apoptosis in these cells. Previous studies have found sporadic alterations in the apoptotic apparatus in CLL cells, but a widespread defect has not been detected until now. A crucial checkpoint in the progression of apoptosis is the activity of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) that control the activity of caspases upon the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of IAP in the regulation of apoptosis in CLL cells.
Materials And Methods: Lysates from CLL cells were prepared, and the regular function of components of the cytochrome c-dependent caspase-activating machinery (the apoptosome) was investigated. The effect of IAP in caspase-inhibition was tested using a peptide derived from the mitochondrial IAP antagonist Smac/DIABLO. Regulation of expression as well as inhibitory function of the X-linked IAP (XIAP) by cytokines was analyzed.
Results: The apoptosome was found to be structurally and functionally competent in CLL. XIAP expression was enhanced by culture in the presence of cytokines. Smac/DIABLO was easily detectable in CLL cells and was released into the cytosol during apoptosis. No inhibitory effect of IAP was detected in CLL, irrespective of XIAP levels and culture conditions.
Conclusion: Although XIAP is present in CLL cells and is up-regulated in conditions where apoptosis is prevented, no caspase-inhibiting anti-apoptotic effect of IAP is detectable. This is likely due to the high expression of Smac/DIABLO in CLL cells that is sufficient to overcome the caspase-inhibiting effect of IAP.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exphem.2004.03.006 | DOI Listing |
Hemasphere
January 2025
Laboratory of Clinical Cell Therapy Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Jules Bordet Institute Brussels Belgium.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells receive several stimuli from surrounding cells, such as B-cell receptor (BCR) stimulation, and can manipulate their microenvironment via extracellular vesicle (EV) release. Here, we investigated the small RNA content (microRNA and YRNA) of CLL-EVs from leukemic cells cultured with/without BCR stimulation. We highlight an increase of miR-155-5p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-132-3p in EVs and in cells after BCR stimulation ( < 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Ther
January 2025
Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT), Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, Regensburg, Germany. Electronic address:
A rapidly growing number of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is being translated into cell therapy for malignant and autoimmune diseases. While cancer cell-selective CAR targeting is undergoing continuous refinement, specific testing for overlooked recognition of healthy tissues is commonly not performed, which potentially results in underestimating of the risk of severe tissue damage upon CAR T cell application. Using the FcμR/IgM receptor/FAIM3/TOSO-specific CAR, designed to target chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, we exemplarily outline a screen to uncover reactivities to healthy tissues and discuss the value of such pre-clinical testing to improve safety in CAR T cell application.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Ther
January 2025
Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Research Center for Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. Electronic address:
Current treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain challenging, characterized by poor clinical outcomes. Exosomes, cell-derived membranous vesicles, has been emerging as a new modality of therapy. Here we designed and generated genetically reprogrammed exosomes with surface displayed antibodies and immunoregulatory proteins, namely programmed immune-engaging exosomes (PRIME Exos).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Ain shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
The expression of CD38 by cancer cells may mediate an immune-suppressive effect by producing Extracellular Adenosine (ADO) acting through G-protein-coupled cell surface receptors on cellular components and tumor cells. This can increase PD-1 expression and interaction with PD-L1, suppressing CD8 + cytotoxic T cells. This study examines the impact of heightened CD38 expression and extracellular ADO on various hematological and clinical parameters in patients with mature B-cell lymphoma, alongside their correlation with the soluble counterparts of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Pharm Biomed Anal
January 2025
Clinical Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, Osijek 31 000, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine Osijek, JJ Strossmayer University of Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, Osijek 31 000, Croatia. Electronic address:
Ibrutinib and acalabrutinib, Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) used for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment, aim the same target but their off-target effects are different. The aim of this study was to use single-cell MALDI TOF mass spectrometry imaging to compare the CD19+ lymphocytes' mass spectra in untreated and ibrutinib- or acalabrutinib-treated subjects in order to better understand the therapeutic effect of BTKi. 180 cells from 9 male subjects divided in 3 groups (untreated, ibrutinib-treated and acalabrutinib-treated) were analyzed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analyzer.
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