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. 2021 Dec 29;23(1):365. doi: 10.3390/ijms23010365

Figure 1.

Figure 1

The summary of molecular and phenotypic changes that neutrophils undergo in proliferation centers of CLL. Secretion of IL-8 in the proliferation center (PC) causes neutrophil chemotaxis, resulting in their migration to PC and increased NETs production. Malignant B lymphocytes and nurse-like cells (NLC) produce G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-10, and TGF-β leading to reprogramming of neutrophils to B-CLL helper-like neutrophils (NBH-like). Reprogrammed neutrophils became B cell helper like neutrophils CD16 high CD62L dim. Expression of APRIL, BAFF, CD64, and CD54 is upregulated, while expression of CD62L is downregulated. Neutrophils cause the activation of B-CLL cells, inhibition of their apoptosis and stimulation of cells’ proliferation. NETs formation in CLL PC is increased, which results in activation of B-CLL cells and inhibition of their apoptosis.