Interleukin 2 production in bone marrow of normal individuals and patients associated with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

T-cells from patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) have abnormal T4/T8 ratios and functions. Previously, we demonstrated that peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells from B-CLL patients secrete significant amounts of interleukin 2 (IL2) with an apparent dysregulation of accessory cells controlling this production. In this study, IL2 production was investigated in PB and in bone marrow (BM) from patients with previously untreated B-CLL, mostly in early stages of the disease, and compared to normal donors. A significant secretion was observed in both PB and BM from B-CLL patients after stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), with lower amounts in patients with nodular involvement of BM, as compared to interstitial or diffuse involvements. To explore the role of accessory cells in controlling IL2 production, we added phorbol ester or indomethacin to the culture system or irradiated the cells before culture. Phorbol ester significantly increased the IL2 secretion in both the PB and the BM of B-CLL patients. The irradiation or the addition of indomethacin did not enhance the IL2 production in PB from B-CLL patients. However, IL2 secretion increased in the BM cells from B-CLL patients after addition of indomethacin or prior irradiation, in a similar way to that observed in PB and BM of normal controls, suggesting an apparent normal control of the IL2 production in BM from B-CLL patients. In normal controls, we demonstrated that IL2 secretion per T-cell from BM was 5.4-fold greater than that from normal PB, suggesting a very efficient role of accessory cells controlling IL2 production in normal BM.