γc-signaling cytokines induce a regulatory T cell phenotype in malignant CD4+ T lymphocytes

Monika Kasprzycka, Qian Zhang, Agnieszka Witkiewicz, Michal Marzec, Magdalena Potoczek, Xiaobin Liu, Yi Wang Hong, Michael Milone, Samik Basu, Joanne Mauger, John K. Choi, J. Todd Abrams, J. Steven Hou, Alain H. Rook, Eric Vonderheid, Anders Woetmann, Niels Odum, Mariusz A. Wasik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, we demonstrate that malignant mature CD4+ T lymphocytes derived from cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL) variably display some aspects of the T regulatory phenotype. Whereas seven cell lines representing a spectrum of primary cutaneous T cell lymphoproliferative disorders expressed CD25 and TGF-β, the expression of FOXP3 and, to a lesser degree, IL-10 was restricted to two CTCL cell lines that are dependent on exogeneous IL-2. IL-2, IL-15, and IL-21, all of which signals through receptors containing the common γ chain, induced expression of IL-10 in the IL-2-dependent cell lines as well as primary leukemic CTCL cells. However, only IL-2 and IL-15, but not IL-21, induced expression of FOXP3. The IL-2-triggered induction of IL-10 and FOXP3 expression occurred by signaling through STAT3 and STAT5, respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis of the CTCL tissues revealed that FOXP3-expressing cells were common among the CD7-negative enlarged atypical and small lymphocytes at the early skin patch and plaque stages. Their frequency was profoundly diminished at the tumor stage and in the CTCL lymph node lesions with or without large cell transformation. These results indicate that the T regulatory cell features are induced in CTCL T cells by common γ chain signaling cytokines such as IL-2 and do not represent a fully predetermined, constitutive phenotype independent of the local environmental stimuli to which these malignant mature CD4+ T cells become exposed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2506-2512
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume181
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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