Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Neutrophil Isolation and Analysis to Determine their Role in Lymphoma Cell Sensitivity to Therapeutic Agents
Published on: March 25, 2016
Immune complexes inhibit apoptosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia B cells
R Gamberale1, J R Geffner, A Trevani
1Laboratory of Immunology, Institute of Haematologic Research, National Academy of Medicine, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Insights
Immune complexes (IC) prevent apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) B cells by engaging accessory immune cells. This effect, partly mediated by IFN-gamma release, also increases HLA-DR expression on B-CLL cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a B-cell malignancy.
- Understanding factors influencing B-CLL cell survival is crucial for treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of immune complexes (IC) on the apoptosis of B-CLL cells.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying IC-mediated modulation of B-CLL cell survival.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of B-CLL cells with various forms of IC (pIC, E-IgG, aIgG).
- Assessment of spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis.
- Depletion of accessory immune cells (T lymphocytes, monocytes, NK cells).
- Use of neutralizing anti-IFNgamma monoclonal antibodies (MoAb).
- Analysis of HLA-DR expression on B-CLL cells.
Main Results:
- IC significantly inhibited spontaneous and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis of B-CLL cells.
- The anti-apoptotic effect of IC was dependent on the presence of accessory leucocytes.
- IFN-gamma released by non-malignant cells contributed to the IC-mediated inhibition of apoptosis.
- IC treatment led to increased HLA-DR expression on B-CLL cells, indicating cellular activation.
Conclusions:
- Immune complexes protect B-CLL cells from apoptosis through interactions with accessory immune cells.
- IFN-gamma plays a partial role in mediating these protective effects.
- IC-induced apoptosis inhibition is associated with B-CLL cell activation, evidenced by increased HLA-DR expression.
Abstract:
In the present study we examined the effect of immune complexes (IC) on the survival of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) B cells. Our results showed that either precipitating IC (pIC), Ab-coated erythrocytes (E-IgG) or heat-aggregated IgG (aIgG) significantly inhibited spontaneous apoptosis of B-CLL cells, as well as that induced by fludarabine, chlorambucil or dexamethasone. After depletion of T lymphocytes, monocytes and NK cells, incubation with IC was no longer able to delay B-CLL cells apoptosis, suggesting that prevention of apoptosis depends on IC interaction with accessory leucocytes. The release of IFNgamma by non-malignant cells upon activation with IC was responsible, to some extent, for IC effects as shown by the fact that neutralizing anti-IFNgamma MoAb partially prevented their ability to inhibit B-CLL cells apoptosis. The observation that treatment with IC resulted in increased expression of HLA-DR on B-CLL cells suggests that inhibition of apoptosis is associated with cellular activation.
More Related Videos
07:25In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis
Published on: May 4, 2017
09:02Immunoglobulin Gene Sequence Analysis In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: From Patient Material To Sequence Interpretation
Published on: November 26, 2018
Related Concept Videos
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
01:27Disorders of Leukocytes
Leukopenia may result from bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. For example, conditions such as multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate leukocytes. Similarly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and viral infections such as HIV can prompt the immune system...
01:28Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...