Patterns of cytokine expression in AIDS‐related non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma

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Abstract
The pathogenesis of AIDS‐related non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (AIDS‐NHL) involves accumulation of genetic lesions, stimulation and selection by antigen, as well as infection by viruses. Deregulation of cytokine loops has also been proposed to contribute to AIDS‐NHL development, although data are available only for a limited number of cytokines. In this study we have utilized a panel of AIDS‐NHL cell lines to investigate in detail the pattern of tumour expression and production of a wide spectrum of cytokines. The cytokines investigated included interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐2, IL‐3, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐7, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐13, TNFα, TNFβ, IFNγ, TGFβ2, G‐CSF, GM‐CSF and SCF. The AIDS‐NHL cell lines utilized were representative of both AIDS‐related Burkitt lymphoma (AIDS‐BL) and AIDS‐related body cavity‐based lymphoma (AIDS‐BCBL). Overall, AIDS‐NHL were found to produce IL‐6, IL‐10 and TNFβ, although with different patterns depending upon the biological features of the tumour. Production of high levels of IL10 preferentially associated with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) positive AIDS‐BL and AIDS‐BCBL, although lower levels of the cytokine were also detectable among EBV‐negative AIDS‐BL. Production of IL‐6 was restricted to EBV‐positive AIDS‐BL and AIDS‐BCBL, whereas it was absent among EBV‐negative AIDS‐BL. Production of TNFβ clustered with AIDS‐BL, whereas this was absent among AIDS‐BCBL. These results define that the pattern of cytokine expression of AIDS‐NHL depends upon the biological features of the tumour and may have implications for the pathogenesis of these disorders.