Interleukin-4 and the two isoforms of CD23 antigen: their possible contribution to the physiopathology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia disease

The CD23 antigen is overexpressed and abnormally regulated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Interleukin-4 controls the CD23 expression, the proliferation and the longevity of the malignant B cells. These results are summarized and discussed with a view of proposing a role for these two molecules in the physiopathology of the disease. A speculative model whereby CLL would be a disease of the B cell under the control of the T cell is also presented.