DYSREGULATION OF THE RECEPTOR PROFILE OF MONOCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by profound immune dysregulation, leading to an increased susceptibility to infectious complications. As key components of the phagocytic system, monocytes play an essential role in modulating innate immune responses. This study analyzed the expression of CD180 and TLR4 receptors on peripheral blood monocytes in 17 newly diagnosed CLL patients and 9 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Using flow cytometry, we observed a significant reduction in CD180 expression in CLL patients (51.2±7.6) compared with healthy individuals (75.9±7.1; p=0.0273). TLR4 expression also showed a decreasing tendency in CLL patients (72.4±6.3 vs. 86.4±4.9 in controls), although the difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.0877). These findings indicate impaired monocyte activation and altered inflammatory signaling in CLL, potentially contributing to increased susceptibility to infections and facilitating leukemic progression. The study highlights the importance of monocyte receptor deregulation in the immunopathogenesis of CLL and underscores the need for timely antimicrobial support in disease management.