|
1
|
Ulevicius J, Jasukaitiene A, Bartkeviciene A, Dambrauskas Z, Gulbinas A, Urboniene D, Paskauskas S. Dysregulation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Immune-Related Proteins during the Early Post-Operative Immune Response in Ovarian Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 16:190. [PMID: 38201617 PMCID: PMC10778568 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Surgical treatment is a cornerstone of ovarian cancer (OC) therapy and exerts a substantial influence on the immune system. Immune responses also play a pivotal and intricate role in OC progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of immune-related protein expression and the activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in OC patients, both before surgery and during the early postoperative phase. The study cohort comprised 23 OC patients and 20 non-cancer controls. A comprehensive analysis of PBMCs revealed significant pre-operative downregulation in the mRNA expression of multiple immune-related proteins, including interleukins, PD-1, PD-L1, and HO-1. This was followed by further dysregulation during the first 5 post-operative days. Although most serum interleukin concentrations showed only minor changes, a distinct increase in IL-6 and HO-1 levels was observed post-operatively. Reduced metabolic and phagocytic activity and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were observed on day 1 post-surgery. These findings suggest a shift towards immune tolerance during the early post-operative phase of OC, potentially creating a window for treatment. Further research into post-operative PBMC activity could lead to the development of new or improved treatment strategies for OC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Ulevicius
- Laboratory of Surgical Gastroenterology, Institute for Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus g. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (A.B.); (Z.D.); (A.G.)
| | - Aldona Jasukaitiene
- Laboratory of Surgical Gastroenterology, Institute for Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus g. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (A.B.); (Z.D.); (A.G.)
| | - Arenida Bartkeviciene
- Laboratory of Surgical Gastroenterology, Institute for Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus g. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (A.B.); (Z.D.); (A.G.)
| | - Zilvinas Dambrauskas
- Laboratory of Surgical Gastroenterology, Institute for Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus g. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (A.B.); (Z.D.); (A.G.)
| | - Antanas Gulbinas
- Laboratory of Surgical Gastroenterology, Institute for Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus g. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania; (A.J.); (A.B.); (Z.D.); (A.G.)
| | - Daiva Urboniene
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus g. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Saulius Paskauskas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus g. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| |
Collapse
|