Abnormal proportions and functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in peripheral blood of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a subset of immature myeloid cells with immunosuppressive properties. Evidence suggests that abnormal immune system can lead to immune dysfunction and increase the risk of developing diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This study investigated the abnormality of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of patients with DLBCL.

METHODS

Expression, apoptosis, and proliferation of MDSCs was measured in the peripheral blood DLBCL patients and healthy donors (HDs) via flow cytometer. The co-culture groups included the MDSCs and DLBCL cells line and MDSCs and T cells. Using flow cytometry detected MDSCs and T cells proliferation, apoptosis, T cells activation and function in the co-culture groups. RNA transcriptome sequencing analysis was conducted on DLBCL-MDSCs and HDs-MDSCs. Combined with the clinicopathological data of DLBCL patients, the correlation between MDSCs and DLBCL progression was analyzed.

RESULTS

The expression of MDSCs in patients newly diagnosed with DLBCL was elevated. DLBCL tumor cells could stimulate MDSCs growth. DLBCL-MDSCs showed stronger immunosuppressive ability to T cells proliferation, activation and secretion of cytokines and associated with several clinical indicators such as Ann Arbor stage, serum LDH level, and lymphoma IPI score.

CONCLUSION

This study investigated the abnormality of MDSCs and underscored the critical role of MDSCs in suppressing T cell function in DLBCL patients. It provides certain laboratory evidence for MDSCs as biomarkers of disease progression and treatment response in DLBCL.