Figure 3. NF-κB is regulated by the environment where Ph+ positive cells reside.

Interactions between Ph⁺ stem/progenitor cells and stromal cells and representation of TGF-β and TNF-α networks. Both TGF-β and TNF-α can be secreted by CML cells as part of a autocrine/paracrine loop able to sustain NF-kB signaling. Moreover, Ph⁺ CML cells can be regulated by TGF-β and TNF-α produced by stromal cells or inflammatory cells. This mechanism may promote NF-kB signaling in a BCR-ABL-independent manner.