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Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Bone Marrow Transplantation Platform to Investigate the Role of Dendritic Cells in Graft-versus-Host Disease
Published on: March 17, 2020
Gene Expression and Survival of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells After Allogeneic Transplant
Dominic Schenone1, Jeffrey R Andolina1, Brooks Rademacher1
1Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, U.S.A.
Background/Aim:
This study explored the mechanisms of the allogeneic graft versus leukemia effect in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells by examining whether they change gene expression in the post-transplant environment containing cytokines and the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, and if such changes affect ALL cell survival.
Materials And Methods:
RNASeq was used to assess leukemia global gene expression and flow cytometry to measure ALL survival in the presence of T cells, NK cells, cytokines, and cyclosporine.
Results:
A total of 4,805 genes were differentially expressed. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated up-regulation of biological processes related to cytokine responses, control of viral infection, and regulation of leukocyte function including proliferation. Down-regulated genes were related to mesenchymal tissue morphogenesis. ALL cells exposed to cytokines and cyclosporine retained susceptibility to T and NK cell killing, and also exhibited increased cell death without exposure to killer cells.
Conclusion:
A significant portion of the graft versus leukemia effect may be mediated by cytokines and cyclosporine.
