Expression and function of phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta in mesenchymal stromal cells from normal and leukaemic bone marrow

Within lymphoid tissues, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells interact with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3K) cause release of CLL cells from lymphoid tissues into blood. PI3K inhibitors are thought to target only CLL and other immune cells because PI3K expression is restricted to haematopoietic cells. We found that PI3K is unexpectedly expressed in primary MSC derived from CLL patients and healthy donors. PI3K inhibition in MSC using idelalisib or duvelisib significantly reduced their ability to support CLL migration and adhesion. These observations provide the first evidence that PI3K is expressed and functional in CLL MSC.