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Updated: May 30, 2026
Murine Model of CD40-activation of B cells
Published on: March 5, 2010
CD39 expression on T lymphocytes correlates with severity of disease in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Dianne Pulte1, Richard R Furman, M Johan Broekman
1Research Service, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY 10010, USA.
Insights
T-lymphocyte CD39 and CD73 expression may serve as prognostic markers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CD73 expression on malignant B cells in CLL may indicate a better prognosis, aiding in disease management.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is primarily a B-cell malignancy but involves T-lymphocyte dysfunction.
- Investigating T-lymphocyte markers like CD39 and CD73 offers insights into CLL pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine T-lymphocyte CD39 and CD73 expression in patients with CLL.
- To determine the potential of these markers as prognostic indicators in CLL.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry analysis of blood samples from 34 CLL patients and 31 healthy controls.
- Cells were stained for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD39, and CD73.
Main Results:
- CLL patients showed increased CD39 expression on T lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+).
- Higher CD39 expression correlated with advanced CLL stage.
- CD73 expression was decreased on T and B lymphocytes in CLL; CD73+ clones were associated with earlier disease stages.
Conclusions:
- T-lymphocyte CD39 and CD73 expression levels are potential prognostic markers for CLL.
- CD73 expression on the malignant B-cell population in CLL may signify a favorable prognosis.
Introduction:
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell disorder, but it is also associated with abnormalities in T-lymphocyte function. In this study we examine changes in T-lymphocyte CD39 and CD73 expression in patients with CLL.
Methods:
Blood samples were drawn from 34 patients with CLL and 31 controls. The cells were stained for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD39, and CD73 and analyzed by flow cytometry.
Results:
Overall, patients with CLL had a higher percentage of CD39(+) T lymphocytes than did controls. The percentage of cells expressing CD39 was higher in both CD4(+) cells and CD8(+) cells. Higher CD3/CD39 expression was associated with a later disease stage. No correlations between T-lymphocyte CD39 levels and CD38 or Zap-70 expression were observed. In contrast, the percentage of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes that expressed CD73 was decreased in patients with CLL. Average B-lymphocyte CD73 expression was decreased in CLL because the majority of CLL clones were CD73. However a minority of CLL clones were CD73(+), and patients with CD73(+) clones tended to have earlier stage disease.
Conclusion:
T-lymphocyte CD39 and CD73 expression may be useful prognostic markers in patients with CLL. Expression of CD73 on the malignant cell population in CLL may be a marker of better prognosis.
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