B-CLL-cells are long living cells which accumulate because of inhibition of apoptosis. They cause an insufficient immune answer for low densitiy of T-cell-activating surface molecules. By CpG-ODN (bacterial DNA) and IL-2 expression of these surface molecules can be increased on malignant B cells as well as cell proliferation and secretion of immunoglobulin and cytokines can be induced. This work examined the expression of the surface molecules CD 25, CD 40, CD 54, CD 58, CD 80, CD 86, MHC class I and MHC class II, production of the cytokines IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha and secretion of IgM after stiumlation with CpG-ODN odr IL-2 or costimulation with CpG-ODN and IL-2 in B-CLL-cells compared with normal B-cells. These methods were used: FACS-Analysis (fluorescence activated cell sorter) for surface molecules, ELISAS for cytokines and IgM, RT-PCR and proliferation assay. There was no evident increase in the expression of surface molecules after stimulation with IL-2 only. The CpG-ODN DSP 30 caused a rise in the expression of all examined surface molecules. Costimulation with DSP 30 and IL-2 lead to an additional increase of all surface molecules except in CD 58. The reduced proliferation rate in B-CLL-cells could be restored to the rate of normal B-cells by costimuation with IL-2 and DSP 30. Secretion of IgM, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 was increased by costimulation with DSP 30 and IL-2 compared to stimulation with DSP 30 only. IL-2 alone did not have any effect. These results could be shown by ELISA tests and confirmed by RT-PCR. IL-8 could not be induced. These findings indicate an improved APC function of B-CLL-cells after stimulation with CpG-ODN and IL-2 by increased expression of costimulatory molecules together with MHC class I or II and antigenic determinants, e. g. altered surface immunoglobulin, and suggest CpG-ODN and IL-2 for therapeutic use in vivo or in vitro in B-CLL.
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B-CLL-cells are long living cells which accumulate because of inhibition of apoptosis. They cause an insufficient immune answer for low densitiy of T-cell-activating surface molecules. By CpG-ODN (bacterial DNA) and IL-2 expression of these surface molecules can be increased on malignant B cells as well as cell proliferation and secretion of immunoglobulin and cytokines can be induced. This work examined the expression of the surface molecules CD 25, CD 40, CD 54, CD 58, CD 80, CD 86, MHC class...
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