The chemokine CXCL12, via its receptor CXCR4, promotes increased survival of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells that express high levels of -chainassociated protein (ZAP-70), a receptor tyrosine kinase associated with aggressive disease. In this study, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms governing this effect. Although significant differences in the expression or turnover of CXCR4 were not observed between ZAP-70 ؉ and ZAP-70 ؊ cell samples, CXCL12 induced greater intracellular Ca 2؉
IntroductionChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease characterized by the accumulation of mature monoclonal B cells in the blood, secondary lymphoid tissue, and marrow. 1,2 Regardless of their apparent longevity in vivo, CLL B cells undergo apoptosis in vitro unless rescued by monocyte-derived nurse-like cells (NLCs) or marrow stromal cells. [3][4][5][6] In line with this hypothesis, the marrow is invariably infiltrated with CLL cells in patients, and the extent of infiltration correlates with clinical stage and prognosis. 5,7 These accessory cells also protect CLL cells from drug-induced apoptosis in vitro. 8 Thus, it has been postulated that CLL cells receive survival signals from these accessory cells, which constitute part of the CLL B-cell microenvironment in secondary lymphoid tissue and marrow. 6 Such niches could protect leukemia cells from spontaneous or drug-induced apoptosis in vivo, motivating the current study to better understand the survival pathways triggered by the microenvironment.Accessory cells such as NLCs protect CLL cells from apoptosis in vitro in part through the secretion of the stromal cell-derived factor-1␣ (renamed as CXCL12). 9,10 CXCL12 is a highly conserved chemokine that signals through the chemokine receptor CXCR4, which is expressed at high levels by CLL cells. 3,10,11 Although most noted for its role in directing cell migration, CXCL12 also provides survival stimuli to CLL cells and partially protects them from spontaneous or drug-induced apoptosis or both in vitro. 3,9 Further, the enhanced viability of these cells in the presence of CXCL12 can be blocked by antibodies to CXCL12 3 or peptide inhibitors of CXCR4. 8 In prior studies, it was found that treatment of CLL cells with CXCL12 induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). 8,12 In this study, we further examined the survival and signaling responses of CLL cells to CXCL12 to characterize the mechanism for the survival benefit. In addition, we compared the CXCL12-induced responses of CLL cells from 2 subgroups of patients, with high or low expression levels of -chain-associated protein of 70 kDa (ZAP-70), a tyrosine kinase whose high-level expression is correlated with increased risk of early disease progression and relatively short survival 12,13 .
Methods
Preparation of CXCL12CXCL12 was prepared as previously described. 14 Briefly, CXCL12 was expressed as a His-tag fusion protein and purified from inclusion bodies in BL21 Escherichia coli. Bacterial pellets were resuspended in 10mM Tris...