Blood classical monocytes phenotype is not altered in primary non-small cell lung cancer

The Interleukin-33/ST2 Axis Enhances Lung-Resident CD14+ Monocyte Function in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) binds to its cognate receptor suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2), leading to critical modulatory roles in immune responses during inflammation and cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of IL-33/ST2 signaling in monocyte function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sixty-two NSCLC patients and nineteen controls were enrolled. IL-33 levels and ST2 expression were measured in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by ELISA and flow cytometry. HLA-DR expression by CD14+ monocytes, granzyme B and proinflammatory cytokine secretion were also investigated in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. CD14+ monocytes purified from BALF in the tumor site were stimulated with IL-33 in vitro, and co-cultured with a lung cancer cell line A549 cells. The cytotoxicity of monocytes with IL-33 stimulation was then assessed. IL-33 levels were lower in the peripheral blood and tumor microenvironment of NSCLC patients. There was no significant difference in peripheral ST2 expression between NSCLC patients and controls. Soluble ST2 levels were increased but membrane-bound ST2 expression in CD14+ monocytes was decreased in tumor microenvironment of NSCLC patients. There were no remarkable differences in either HLA-DR expression or proinflammatory cytokine secretion by circulating CD14+ monocytes between NSCLC patients and controls. CD14+ monocytes in the tumor microenvironment revealed a dysfunctional phenotype, which presented as lower HLA-DR expression and reduced granzyme B and proinflammatory cytokines. A higher concentration of IL-33 stimulation promoted tumor-resident CD14+ monocyte-induced target cell death. The present study indicates that IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway might enhance the activity of tumor-resident CD14+ monocytes in NSCLC.

Blood Monocyte Subsets with Activation Markers in Relation with Macrophages in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Simple Summary

This study characterized monocyte subtypes: classical, intermediate, and non-classical with the expression of surfaces markers: CD62L, CD11c, CD18, HLA-DR in non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) compared to healthy controls and correlations between monocyte subtypes and macrophages in the lung cancer microenvironment. We confirmed the presence of various monocyte subtypes in the blood with predominance of classic monocytes and a higher proportion of classical and intermediate monocytes in NSCLC patients than in healthy subjects. Our observation that intermediate monocytes with CD11c+ and HLA-DR+ expression correlation with the amount of macrophages from the lung cancer microenvironment may indicate role of these cells in cancer immunity. A high proportion of monocytes with low expression of CD62L indicates participation of monocytes in attenuation of anticancer response. The detection and monitoring of the presented monocyte subsets in the blood might be a useful test in lung cancer.

Abstract

(1) The cells from the monocyte line play an important role as regulators of cancer development and progression. Monocytes present pro- and anti-tumor immunity and differentiation into macrophages. Macrophages are predominant in the lung cancer environment and could be evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). (2) The aim of the study was analysis of monocytes: classical, intermediate and non-classical with expression of: CD62L, CD11c, CD18, HLA-DR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and their correlation with BALF macrophages from lungs with cancer (clBALF) and healthy lungs (hlBALF). (3) A total of 24 patients with NSCLC and 20 healthy donors were investigated. Monocyte subtyping and macrophage counts were performed by flow cytometry. (4) There are three types in peripheral blood (PB): classical monocytes (CD14++CD16-), intermediate (CD14+CD16+) and non-classical (CD14-/+CD16++). We noticed a higher proportion of classical and intermediate monocytes in lung cancer than in healthy donors (76.2 vs. 67.3, and 7.9 vs. 5.2 p < 0.05). We observed a higher proportion of macrophages in clBALF then in hlBALF. A higher CD62L expression on all monocyte subtypes in healthy donors than in study group was found. There were positive correlations between: classical CD11c+, intermediate CD11c+, intermediate HLA-DR+ monocytes in PB with macrophages in clBALF. We did not observe these correlations with macrophages from hlBALF. (5) A predominance of classical and intermediate monocytes in lung cancer and the correlation between intermediate monocytes with CD11c+ and HLA-DR+ and macrophages from the NSCLC milieu support a role of monocyte-line cells in cancer immunity. A high proportion of monocytes with low expression of CD62L indicates the participation of monocytes in attenuation of anticancer response.

Trabectedin Reduces Skeletal Prostate Cancer Tumor Size in Association with Effects on M2 Macrophages and Efferocytosis

Macrophages play a dual role in regulating tumor progression. They can either reduce tumor growth by secreting antitumorigenic factors or promote tumor progression by secreting a variety of soluble factors. The purpose of this study was to define the monocyte/macrophage population prevalent in skeletal tumors, explore a mechanism employed in supporting prostate cancer (PCa) skeletal metastasis, and examine a novel therapeutic target. Phagocytic CD68+ cells were found to correlate with Gleason score in human PCa samples, and M2-like macrophages (F4/80⁺CD206⁺) were identified in PCa bone resident tumors in mice. Induced M2-like macrophages in vitro were more proficient at phagocytosis (efferocytosis) of apoptotic tumor cells than M1-like macrophages. Moreover, soluble factors released from efferocytic versus nonefferocytic macrophages increased PC-3 prostate cancer cell numbers in vitro. Trabectedin exposure reduced M2-like (F4/80+CD206+) macrophages in vivo. Trabectedin administration after PC-3 cell intracardiac inoculation reduced skeletal metastatic tumor growth. Preventative pretreatment with trabectedin 7 days prior to PC-3 cell injection resulted in reduced M2-like macrophages in the marrow and reduced skeletal tumor size. Together, these findings suggest that M2-like monocytes and macrophages promote PCa skeletal metastasis and that trabectedin represents a candidate therapeutic target.

Restoration of Peripheral Intermediate and Classical Monocytes Expressing HLA-DR in Patients With Lung Adenocarcinoma After Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

Lung adenocarcinoma represents one of the lung cancer subtypes with major prevalence. Accumulating evidence indicates that the immune system plays an important role in the evolution of the neoplastic process; additionally, several reports suggest that chemotherapy has an immunomodulatory effect. In order to identify the peripheral subpopulations of leukocytes that may change after chemotherapy, we evaluated several peripheral immune subpopulations of monocytes and lymphocytes by multicolor flow cytometry. In addition, we also measured cytokines and growth factors on plasma in order to evaluate the pro-inflammatory context in patients with lung adenocarcinoma after chemotherapy. We found that HLA-DR⁺ classical and intermediate monocytes were decreased in patients before chemotherapy, compared to controls. After chemotherapy, the relative percentage of those subpopulations was restored. In addition, interleukin 1β, interleukin 12, and interleukin 5 were increased after chemotherapy compared to prechemotherapy levels, while MIP-1β was decreased.