Circulating mononuclear cells from pure red cell aplasia of chronic lymphocytic leukemia suppress in vitro erythropoiesis

In vitro studies were performed in a patient with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia who developed pure red cell aplasia (CLL-PRCA). The patient’s irradiated circulating mononuclear blood cells and supernatant markedly inhibited normal marrow erythroid (but not granulocyte-monocyte) progenitor colony proliferation. In contrast, irradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and supernatant obtained from a B-CLL patient (Rai stage III) and from a hematologically normal donor, did not affect hematopoietic progenitor colony growth. These findings suggest that the anemia of CLL-PRCA evolves different mechanisms of those causing anemia in CLL, and is mediated through cellular and secretory mechanisms.