Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice
07:17

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice

Published on: June 22, 2016

Characterization of regulatory T cells in patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Krzysztof Giannopoulos1, Michael Schmitt, Malgorzata Kowal

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. krzysztof.giannopoulos@alumni.uni-ulm.de

Oncology Reports
|August 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Immune system dysfunction in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is linked to increased T regulatory cells (Treg). Higher Treg frequencies in B-CLL patients correlate with reduced immune responses to tumor and viral antigens, indicating a key immunosuppression mechanism.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is characterized by immune dysregulation, including immunodeficiency and autoimmunity.
  • The precise role of T regulatory lymphocytes (Treg) in the compromised immune status of B-CLL patients remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the frequency and functional impact of T regulatory lymphocytes (Treg) expressing FOXP3 in B-CLL patients.
  • To assess the correlation between Treg levels and disease progression, prognostic markers, and immune responses against tumor and viral antigens.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry was used to quantify CD4+CD25hi FOXP3+ Treg cells in 80 B-CLL patients and healthy volunteers (HV).
  • Treg frequencies were analyzed in relation to B-CLL disease stages (Binet classification), prognostic markers (ZAP-70, CD38, HLA-G), and serum TNF levels.
  • T-cell immune responses against tumor-associated antigens (survivin, fibromodulin, RHAMM) and influenza matrix protein were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • B-CLL patients exhibited significantly higher frequencies of Treg compared to HV, with levels increasing alongside disease progression (Stage A, B, C).
  • Treg frequency correlated positively with serum TNF levels but showed no correlation with ZAP-70, CD38, or HLA-G.
  • Elevated Treg frequencies were associated with diminished T-cell responses against both viral and tumor-associated antigens.

Conclusions:

  • This study confirms increased Treg frequencies in B-CLL patients, which rise with disease progression.
  • T regulatory lymphocytes play a critical role in mediating immunosuppression within the B-CLL microenvironment.
  • The findings highlight Treg as a significant factor contributing to the impaired immune surveillance observed in B-CLL.

More Related Videos

Immunoglobulin Gene Sequence Analysis In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: From Patient Material To Sequence Interpretation09:02

Immunoglobulin Gene Sequence Analysis In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: From Patient Material To Sequence Interpretation

Published on: November 26, 2018

Functional Characterization of Regulatory Macrophages That Inhibit Graft-reactive Immunity08:41

Functional Characterization of Regulatory Macrophages That Inhibit Graft-reactive Immunity

Published on: June 7, 2017

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...