ZAP-70 expression is associated with increased CD4 central memory T cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: cross-sectional study

• Published in: Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 317 - 325
• Main Authors: Correia, Rodolfo Patussi, Matos e Silva, Flávia Amoroso, Bacal, Nydia Strachman, Campregher, Paulo Vidal, Hamerschlak, Nelson, Amarante-Mendes, Gustavo Pessini
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Elsevier Editora Ltda 01.10.2018; Sociedade Brasileira de Hematologia e Hemoterapia; Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular (ABHH); Elsevier
• Subjects: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Memory T cells; Original; ZAP-70 protein-tyrosine kinase; ZAP-70 protein-tyrosine kinase; Memory T cells; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• ISSN: 2531-1379; 2531-1387; 2531-1387
• DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2018.03.008

Although chronic lymphocytic leukemia is basically a B cell disease, its pathophysiology and evolution are thought to be significantly influenced by T cells, as these are probably the most important interaction partner of neoplastic B cells, participating in their expansion, differentiation and survival. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells may also drive functional and phenotypic changes of non-malignant T cells. There are few data about the association between memory T cells and prognosis, especially related to ZAP-70, a common reliable surrogate of the gold standard chronic lymphocytic leukemia prognostic markers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the expression of ZAP-70 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients is associated with abnormal patterns of the distribution of naïve and memory T cells related to crosstalk between these cells. In this cross-sectional, controlled study, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were compared with healthy blood donors regarding the expression of ZAP-70 and the distribution of naïve and memory T cell subsets in peripheral blood as measured by flow cytometry. ZAP-70 positive patients presented an increased frequency and absolute number of central memory CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ T cells, compared to ZAP-70 negative patients and age-matched apparently healthy donors. Because central memory CD4+ T cells are located in lymph nodes and express CD40L, we consider that malignant ZAP-70-positive B cells may receive beneficial signals from central memory CD4+ T cells as they accumulate, which could contribute to more aggressive disease.