Increased CCL2 and IL-8 in the bone marrow microenvironment in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The interactions of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) blasts with bone marrow (BM) stromal cells have a positive impact on leukemia cell survival. In the present study, we proposed to identify and investigate the role of molecules critically involved in leukemia--microenvironment crosstalk.

Gene expression profiling analyses of BM mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) were performed following stimulation by ALL cells. CCL2 and IL-8 plasma levels were evaluated from ALL patients and controls. Expression of the CCL2 and IL-8 receptors in ALL was determined by RT-PCR. The biological effects of CCL2, IL-8 or its neutralizing antibodies in primary precursor-B ALL and BMMSC cells were evaluated using in vitro assays.

Leukemia stimulation of BMMSC upregulated the expression of several inflammatory chemokines, including CCL2 and IL-8. The BM plasma levels of CCL2 and IL-8 in children at diagnosis were significantly higher than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Functional studies revealed that CCL2 and IL-8 enhanced the capacity of BMMSC to support adhesion of ALL cells. CCL2 and IL-8 were also found to enhance BMMSC survival and to increase their proliferation. ALL cells were not directly affected by CCL2 or IL-8.

The leukemic BM microenvironment had increased levels of CCL2 and IL-8. These chemokines are known to have suppressive effects in normal hematopoiesis. Our data indicate that CCL2 and IL-8 have a positive impact on BMMSC survival, proliferation, and adhesiveness to ALL cells. Leukemia-associated CCL2 and IL-8 upregulation may represent one possible mechanism of microenvironment perversion in favor of ALL cells.