MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES INDUCER (EMMPRIN/CD147) EXPRESSION ON B CELLS OFHEALTHY DONORS AND CHRONIC LYMPHOID LEUKEMIA

RODRIGUEZ, CM; GILARDONI, MB; SASTRE, D; HELLER, V; RAMELLO, C; DONADIO, AC

NUEVA ORLEANS

Congreso; 27th Annual Clinical Cytometry Meeting and Course,; 2012

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a pivotal role in cell migration and invasion through extracellular matrix. CD147, a cell surface glycoprotein, stimulates production of MMPs on tumor and stromal cells. In this study, we analyzed the CD147 and MMP9 expression in B lymphocytes of healthy donors (HD B cell) and neoplastic B lymphocytes (B-CLL) of patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and their regulation through B-CLL-fibroblasts (Fb) contact (coculture) by Flow Cytometry. CD147 median fluorescence intensity (MFI) range in HD B cell (21,6 - 63,7) allowed us to separate CLL in low MFI (19,1 ± 3,2; n=3), middle MFI (42,9 ± 12,5; n=18) and high MFI (77,7 ± 8,3; n=7). CD147 expression was significantly higher in high MFI CLL group compared with moderate (p<0.01), low (p<0.05) and HD B cells (p<0.01). Higher CD147 expression was associated mainly with CD19+/CD5+high fraction. The MMP-9 concentration in culture supernatants after 72 hours of coculture was heterogeneous, exhibiting higher levels than B-CLL cultured alone in 3/5 patients. Our results showed an increase in CD147 expression and MMP-9 levels in B-CLL induced by Fb contact. These findings could suggest the role of CD147 in the promotion of B-cells movement and migration towards tissues.