Chronic myeloid leukemia-derived extracellular vesicles increase Foxp3 level and suppressive activity of thymic regulatory T cells.

Mechanisms driving immunosuppression in chronic myeloid leukemia are mostly unknown. We show that leukemic extracellular vesicles (EVs) target lymphocytes and amplify suppressive function of thymic regulatory T cells, by driving expression of Foxp3 transcription factor. This could facilitate expansion of leukemic cells outside the bone marrow, leading to blast crisis.