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Zhang X, Wang S, Nie RC, Qu C, Chen J, Yang Y, Cai M. Immune Microenvironment Characteristics of Urachal Carcinoma and Its Implications for Prognosis and Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030615. [PMID: 35158883 PMCID: PMC8833550 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Urachal carcinoma (UrC) is an exceedingly rare tumor and lacks effective treatment. Herein, we characterized an immune microenvironment characteristic of UrC in detail and identified its implications for prognosis and immunotherapy. In total, 37 resections of UrC were stained for CD20, CD3, CD4, CD8, FOXP3, CD68, HLA-DR, CD163, PD1, and PD-L1, as well as mismatch repair protein including MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, and PMS2 by immunohistochemistry. Intratumoral and peritumoral immune cell densities or the proportion of PD1 and PD-L1 expression alongside MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, and PMS2 status were manually evaluated using the whole slide. UrC patients with the number of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) per slide tended to be higher in tumors with dMMR (p = 0.1919), and tumors with higher number of TLS tended to have longer OS (p = 0.0940) and DFS (p = 0.0700). High densities of CD3+ T, CD8+ T, and CD68+ cells were significantly associated with worse OS and DFS (both p<0.05). Increased intratumoral (p = 0.0111) and peritumoral (p = 0.0485) CD8+ T cell densities were significantly associated with PD-L1 expression or increasing proportion of PD-L1 expression on immune cells. Similarly, increased intratumoral (p = 0.0008) and peritumoral (p = 0.063) CD8+ T cell densities were significantly associated with increasing proportion of PD1 expression on immune cells. Tumors with PD-L1 positive expression on immune cells had a significantly increased proportion of PD1 expression (p = 0.0121). High peritumoral CD8+ T cell density (>73.7/mm2) was significantly associated with worse OS (p = 0.0120) and DFS (p = 0.00095). The number of TLS seems to be considered not only as histopathological characteristics in predicting MMR status of UrC, but also as a prognostic or therapeutic biomarker, and we also provide some important suggestions for targeting PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint in UrC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinke Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.); (R.-C.N.); (C.Q.); (J.C.)
| | - Suijing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.); (R.-C.N.); (C.Q.); (J.C.)
| | - Run-Cong Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.); (R.-C.N.); (C.Q.); (J.C.)
| | - Chunhua Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.); (R.-C.N.); (C.Q.); (J.C.)
| | - Jierong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.); (R.-C.N.); (C.Q.); (J.C.)
| | - Yuanzhong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.); (R.-C.N.); (C.Q.); (J.C.)
- Correspondence: (Y.Y.); (M.C.); Tel.: +86-20-8734-2274 (M.C.)
| | - Muyan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.); (R.-C.N.); (C.Q.); (J.C.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Guangzhou 510080, China
- Correspondence: (Y.Y.); (M.C.); Tel.: +86-20-8734-2274 (M.C.)
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Failli A, Legitimo A, Orsini G, Romanini A, Consolini R. Numerical defect of circulating dendritic cell subsets and defective dendritic cell generation from monocytes of patients with advanced melanoma. Cancer Lett 2013; 337:184-92. [PMID: 23684927 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The behaviour of circulating dendritic cells (DCs) and DC generation from monocytes in melanoma patients during the progression of disease have not been described. We report a significant decrease in the absolute number of total DCs, which mainly affects plasmacytoid DCs in stage IV. Additionally, monocyte-DC generation is less efficient in advanced stages, resulting in DCs that exhibit increased phagocytic capacity, potentially indicating a less mature state. These findings elucidate aspects of basic tumour-mediated immunosuppression, which may have implications for immunotherapeutic approaches, suggesting that the selection of patients for immunotherapy should also be made on the basis of their immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Failli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Immunology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Kim HJ, Kim HO, Lee K, Baek EJ, Kim HS. Two-step maturation of immature DCs with proinflammatory cytokine cocktail and poly(I:C) enhances migratory and T cell stimulatory capacity. Vaccine 2010; 28:2877-86. [PMID: 20156531 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.01.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2009] [Revised: 01/22/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Effective induction of cell-mediated immune responses strongly depends on the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to produce Th1-polarizing cytokines, migrate to lymph nodes and stimulate T cells through antigen-presenting complex and costimulatory molecules. While various protocols for optimizing DC maturation with single or multiple stimuli mimicking infections or inflammatory milieu have been proposed for the generation of DCs with features desired for clinical application, stepwise maturation of DCs by these multiple stimuli has not been systemically assessed. Among the combinations of several immune-modulating factors with known effects on DC maturation, we found that stepwise DC maturation with cytokine cocktail (TNF-alpha+IL-6+IL-1 beta+PGE(2)) followed by poly(I:C) stimulation enhanced the production of IL-12 with strong allostimulatory capacity. While there were no significant differences between DC matured by simultaneous or sequential activation by cytokine cocktail and poly(I:C) in expression of markers and costimulatory molecules of mature DCs, the delivery of inflammatory signal prior to poly(I:C) results in sustained interleukin-12 expression with reduced IL-10 than DC matured by simultaneous stimulation. This sequential stimulation significantly increased migratory capacity in response to CCL21 and CXCL12 compared to DC matured with cytokine cocktail. Furthermore, these DCs retained their responsiveness to CD40L stimulation in secondary IL-12 production and efficiently generated autologous antigen-specific effector T cells as evidenced by ELISPOT assay. Thus, we propose a novel DC maturation protocol in which stimulation of DCs with cytokine cocktail and subsequently with poly(I:C) generates DCs with a high migratory capacity with a preferential Th1 inducing capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung Jin Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular and Rare Disease, Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention 194 Tongillo, Eunpyung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
Standard therapies for many common cancers remain toxic and are often ineffective. Cellular immunotherapy has the potential to be a highly targeted alternative, with low toxicity to normal tissues but a high capacity to eradicate tumor. In this chapter we describe approaches that generate cellular therapies using active immunization with cells, proteins, peptides, or nucleic acids, as well as efforts that use adoptive transfer of effector cells that directly target antigens on malignant cells. Many of these approaches are proving successful in hematologic malignancy and in melanoma. In this chapter we discuss the advantages and limitations of each and how over the next decade investigators will attempt to broaden their reach, increase their efficacy, and simplify their application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma V Okur
- Baylor College of Medicine, Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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Shin S, Jang JY, Roh EY, Yoon JH, Kim JS, Han KS, Kim S, Yun Y, Choi YS, Choi JD, Kim SH, Kim SJ, Song EY. Differences in circulating dendritic cell subtypes in pregnant women, cord blood and healthy adult women. J Korean Med Sci 2009; 24:853-9. [PMID: 19794983 PMCID: PMC2752768 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2009.24.5.853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2008] [Accepted: 10/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Different subtypes of dendritic cells (DC) influence the differentiation of naíve T lymphocytes into T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 effector cells. We evaluated the percentages of DC subtypes in peripheral blood from pregnant women (maternal blood) and their cord blood compared to the peripheral blood of healthy non pregnant women (control). Circulating DC were identified by flow cytometry as lineage (CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD20, and CD56)-negative and HLA-DR-positive cells. Subtypes of DC were further characterized as myeloid DC (CD11c(+)/CD123(+/-)), lymphoid DC (CD11c(-)/CD123(+++)) and less differentiated DC (CD11c(-)/CD123(+/-)). The frequency of DC out of all nucleated cells was significantly lower in maternal blood than in control (P<0.001). The ratio of myeloid DC/lymphoid DC was significantly higher in maternal blood than in control (P<0.01). HLA-DR expressions of myeloid DC as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) were significantly less in maternal blood and in cord blood than in control (P<0.001, respectively). The DC differentiation factors, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF, released from mononuclear cells after lipopolysaccharide stimulation were significantly lower in maternal blood than in control (P<0.01). The distribution of DC subtypes was different in maternal and cord blood from those of non-pregnant women. Their role during pregnancy remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Eun Youn Roh
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Hyun Yoon
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Seung Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyou Sup Han
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Serim Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeomin Yun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Sook Choi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Da Choi
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo-Hyun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun-Jong Kim
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Young Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
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Endogenous damage-associated molecular pattern molecules at the crossroads of inflammation and cancer. Neoplasia 2009; 11:615-28. [PMID: 19568407 DOI: 10.1593/neo.09284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2009] [Revised: 04/07/2009] [Accepted: 04/09/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory mediators play important roles in the development and progression of cancer. Cellular stress, damage, inflammation, and necrotic cell death cause release of endogenous damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecules or alarmins, which alert the host of danger by triggering immune responses and activating repair mechanisms through their interaction with pattern recognition receptors. Recent studies show that abnormal persistence of these molecules in chronic inflammation and in tumor microenvironments underlies carcinogenesis and tumor progression, indicating that DAMP molecules and their receptors could provide novel targets for therapy. This review focuses on the role of DAMP molecules high-mobility group box 1 and S100 proteins in inflammation, tumor growth, and early metastatic events.
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Tan PH, Lota AS. Interaction of current cancer treatments and the immune system: implications for breast cancer therapeutics. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2009; 9:2639-60. [PMID: 18803451 DOI: 10.1517/14656566.9.15.2639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer may account for the current improvement in the mortality of breast cancer. However, achieving a complete 'cure' is the holy grail of cancer medicine and, in many cases, cancer patients still succumb to their ultimate fate. There is therefore a need to devise innovative therapies to overcome this problem. To this end, many emerging therapies utilizing the immune system to eradicate the residues of disease have been described in the preclinical and clinical arenas. However, there is very little work examining the impact of immunotherapy on the existing natural immunity. The relationship between antitumor immunity, in the form of immunotherapy (either passive or active), and current strategies of treatment also needs to be explored. If we are to improve the success of cancer treatment, we must understand how current therapies interact with the immune system and with the emerging immunotherapies. For breast-cancer treatment to be successful, therapeutics should be tailored towards antitumor immunity; they should also avoid tumor-specific tolerance. The sources of information used to prepare this paper were obtained through published work on Pubmed/Medline and materials published on the US/UK governmental agencies' websites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng H Tan
- University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Nuffield Department of Surgery, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
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Morrison BJ, Schmidt CW, Lakhani SR, Reynolds BA, Lopez JA. Breast cancer stem cells: implications for therapy of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2008; 10:210. [PMID: 18671830 PMCID: PMC2575525 DOI: 10.1186/bcr2111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of cancer stem cells responsible for tumour origin, maintenance, and resistance to treatment has gained prominence in the field of breast cancer research. The therapeutic targeting of these cells has the potential to eliminate residual disease and may become an important component of a multimodality treatment. Recent improvements in immunotherapy targeting of tumour-associated antigens have advanced the prospect of targeting breast cancer stem cells, an approach that might lead to more meaningful clinical remissions. Here, we review the role of stem cells in the healthy breast, the role of breast cancer stem cells in disease, and the potential to target these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Morrison
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital Post Office, Brisbane 4029, Australia.
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Neoplasia: An Anniversary of Progress. Neoplasia 2007. [DOI: 10.1593/neo.07968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Numerical and functional defects of blood dendritic cells in early- and late-stage breast cancer. Br J Cancer 2007; 97:1251-9. [PMID: 17923873 PMCID: PMC2360464 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation of antitumour immunity depends on the nature of dendritic cell (DC)-tumour interactions. These have been studied mostly by using in vitro-derived DC which may not reflect the natural biology of DC in vivo. In breast cancer, only one report has compared blood DC at different stages and no longitudinal evaluation has been performed. Here we conducted three cross-sectional and one one-year longitudinal assessments of blood DC in patients with early (stage I/II, n=137) and advanced (stage IV, n=36) disease compared to healthy controls (n=66). Patients with advanced disease exhibit markedly reduced blood DC counts at diagnosis. Patients with early disease show minimally reduced counts at diagnosis but a prolonged period (1 year) of marked DC suppression after tumour resection. While differing in frequency, DC from both patients with early and advanced disease exhibit reduced expression of CD86 and HLA-DR and decreased immunostimulatory capacities. Finally, by comparing a range of clinically available maturation stimuli, we demonstrate that conditioning with soluble CD40L induces the highest level of maturation and improved T-cell priming. We conclude that although circulating DC are compromised by loco-regional and systemic breast cancer, they respond vigorously to ex vivo conditioning, thus enhancing their immunostimulatory capacity and potential for immunotherapy.
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Abstract
Novel adjuvant therapies are urgently needed to complement the existing treatment options for breast cancer. The advent of the use of dendritic cells (DCs) for cancer immunotherapy provides a unique opportunity to overcome the relative non-immunogenic property of breast tumours and address the underlying immunodeficiency. To date, the success of this approach has been limited, possibly due to the targeting of specific tumour antigens that rapidly mutate and, thus, become undetectable to the immune system. A more efficient approach would include preparations encompassing multiple antigens, such as those provided by loading of whole tumour cells or tumour RNA. It is proposed that targeting mammary stem cells responsible for resistance to chemo/immunotherapy, through the expression of a broad array of wild-type and mutated tumour antigens in the context of DCs, will become a mainstay for immunotherapy of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Pinzon-Charry
- Dendritic Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane 4006, Australia
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Pinzon-Charry A, Schmidt CW, López JA. The key role of CD40 ligand in overcoming tumor-induced dendritic cell dysfunction. Breast Cancer Res 2006; 8:402. [PMID: 16524455 PMCID: PMC1413976 DOI: 10.1186/bcr1386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Overcoming dendritic cell (DC) dysfunction is a prerequisite for successful active immunotherapy against breast cancer. CD40 ligand (CD40L), a key molecule in the interface between T-lymphocytes and DCs, seems to be instrumental in achieving that goal. Commenting on our data that CD40L protects circulating DCs from apoptosis induced by breast tumor products, Lenahan and Avigan highlighted the potential of CD40L for immunotherapy. We expand on that argument by pointing to additional findings that CD40L not only rescues genuine DCs but also functionally improves populations of immature antigen-presenting cells that fill the DC compartment in patients with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Pinzon-Charry
- Dendritic Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital Post Office, Brisbane 4019, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia
| | - Chris W Schmidt
- Dendritic Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital Post Office, Brisbane 4019, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia
| | - José Alejandro López
- Dendritic Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital Post Office, Brisbane 4019, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia
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Rehemtulla A, Ross BD. A review of the past, present, and future directions of neoplasia. Neoplasia 2006; 7:1039-46. [PMID: 16354585 PMCID: PMC1501177 DOI: 10.1593/neo.05793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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Pinzon-Charry A, Maxwell T, McGuckin MA, Schmidt C, Furnival C, López JA. Spontaneous apoptosis of blood dendritic cells in patients with breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 2005; 8:R5. [PMID: 16417648 PMCID: PMC1413992 DOI: 10.1186/bcr1361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2005] [Revised: 10/24/2005] [Accepted: 11/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Dendritic cells (DCs) are key antigen-presenting cells that play an essential role in initiating and directing cellular and humoral immunity, including anti-tumor responses. Due to their critical role in cancer, induction of DC apoptosis may be one of the central mechanisms used by tumors to evade immune recognition. Methods Spontaneous apoptosis of blood DCs (lineage negative HLA-DR positive cells) was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using Annexin-V and TUNEL assays immediately after blood collection. The role of tumor products was assessed by culturing cells with supernatants derived from breast cancer cell lines (TDSN) or PBMCs (PBMC-SN, as a control). The capacity of DC stimulation to prevent apoptosis was assessed by incubating DC with inflammatory cytokines, poly I:C, IL-12 or CD40 ligand (CD40L) prior to culture with TDSN. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and microscopy, and Bcl-2 expression determined by intracellular staining. Results In this study we document the presence of a significantly higher proportion of apoptotic (Annexin-V+ and TUNEL+) blood DCs in patients with early stage breast cancer (stage I to II; n = 13) compared to healthy volunteers (n = 15). We examined the role of tumor products in this phenomenon and show that supernatants derived from breast cancer lines induce apoptosis of blood DCs in PBMC cultures. Aiming to identify factors that protect blood DC from apoptosis, we compared a range of clinically available maturation stimuli, including inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and prostaglandin (PG)E2 as a cytokine cocktail), synthetic double-stranded RNA (poly I:C) and soluble CD40 ligand. Although inflammatory cytokines and poly I:C induced robust phenotypic maturation, they failed to protect blood DCs from apoptosis. In contrast, CD40 stimulation induced strong antigen uptake, secretion of IL-12 and protected blood DCs from apoptosis through sustained expression of Bcl-2. Exogenous IL-12 provided similar Bcl-2 mediated protection, suggesting that CD40L effect is mediated, at least in part, through IL-12 secretion. Conclusion Cumulatively, our results demonstrate spontaneous apoptosis of blood DCs in patients with breast cancer and confirm that ex vivo conditioning of blood DCs can protect them from tumor-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Pinzon-Charry
- Dendritic Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tammy Maxwell
- Dendritic Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael A McGuckin
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Mater Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Chris Schmidt
- Dendritic Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - J Alejandro López
- Dendritic Cell and Cancer Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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