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Alteration of macrophage function in AKR leukemia
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Spontaneous leukemia in AKR mice inhibits macrophage function during illness, not before. This immune suppression correlates with white blood cell counts but not tumor size.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Spontaneous T-cell leukemia-lymphoma is common in AKR mice.
- Cancer progression can impact immune cell function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between spontaneous leukemia onset in AKR mice and macrophage inflammatory responses.
- To determine if immune suppression precedes or coincides with leukemia development.
Main Methods:
- Biweekly examination of 60 AKR mice from 5.5 to 10 months of age.
- Assessment of macrophage inflammatory responses.
- Comparison of immune function with peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts and tumor burden.
Main Results:
- Macrophage accumulation at inflammatory sites was inhibited in mice with advanced cancer.
- Inhibition of macrophage function occurred coincidentally with or shortly after leukemia onset.
- Immune suppression was correlated with elevated WBC counts but not directly with lymph node or thymus weight.
- Macrophage dysfunction did not precede leukemia development.
Conclusions:
- Inhibition of macrophage function is associated with the onset and progression of spontaneous leukemia in AKR mice.
- Immune suppression in this model does not precede the disease but rather accompanies it.
- The observed immune changes are linked to leukemic state rather than solely tumor mass.