Quantitative and Functional Alterations of 6-Sulfo Lacnac Dendritic Cells in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by expansion of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM). Monocytes and macrophages have been shown to accumulate in the microenvironment / BM of MM patients while promoting MM cells survival and proliferation. Recently, another population of myeloid cells expressing the M-DC8 antigen containing a 6-sulfo LacNAc structure, called 6-sulfo LacNac dendritic cells (Slan-DCs) has been described. Functionally, Slan-DCs have potent pro-inflammatory properties based on their capacity to produce large amounts of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Interleukin (IL) 12p70 upon stimulation with Toll-like receptor ligands such as R848. They also express C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 which is important in homing to the BM. Nevertheless, little is known about microenvironmental interactions between MM cells and Slan-DCs.