Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: H017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.H017
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, H017 (2025)
Breaking barriers: serum zonulin as a marker of intestinal permeability in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Michalina Pinkosz1,2*, Grażyna Stasiak1, Paulina Własiuk1
1 Department of Experimental Hematooncology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
2 Doctoral School, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: pinkoszmichalina00@gmail.com
Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia in the West. It is derived from mature, yet functionally incompetent B-cells. The B-cell receptor (BCR) is crucial for B-cell development and signaling. CLL is believed to arise from B-cells undergoing clonal expansion due to auto and alloantigen encounters or BCR-related genetic mutations, supporting the antigen stimulation theory. The largest antigen contact surface in the human body is the intestinal epithelium, which contains an abundance of external and microbiome-derived antigens. The intestinal microbiome maintains a symbiotic relationship with the immune system. Disruption of intestinal homeostasis leads to dysbiosis, chronic inflammation, and increased intestinal permeability. The integration of the intestinal epithelium is regulated by the enterocytes, which are joined together by various junction proteins. Zonulin (ZO) is a protein that regulates tight junctions, which maintain epithelial integrity, thus affecting the movement of macromolecules between body compartments. Elevated ZO concentration is linked to increased intestinal permeability in gastrointestinal and autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, or Crohn’s disease. Our study aimed to evaluate (for the first time) intestinal permeability in CLL by measuring serum ZO concentrations. Material and Methods: Serum samples from 41 individuals (28 newly diagnosed CLL patients, median age 66, and 13 healthy volunteers) were analyzed in doublets. Serum ZO concentrations were measured using a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), following both the standard and a modified protocol without serum dilution. Data analysis was performed in GraphPad Prism 8.4.2. We observed a higher concentration of serum ZO in CLL patients compared to HV, which result was approaching statistical significance (p = 0.0758). No significant correlations were found between ZO levels and clinical or immunological parameters, genetic mutations, or chromosomal alterations. Conclusions: Few published studies about intestinal permeability in hematological malignancies. This is the first study addressing intestinal permeability in CLL. Our findings strongly suggest increased serum ZO in CLL patients. A larger study group is needed for more definitive results. Notably, omitting serum dilution improved assay accuracy by reducing measurement errors.
Keywords: chronic lymphocytic leukemia, intestinal permeability, zonulin, immunology
How to cite
M. Pinkosz, G. Stasiak, P. Własiuk, 2025. Breaking barriers: serum zonulin as a marker of intestinal permeability in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.H017