The effect of Curcumin on multi-level immune checkpoint blockade and T cell dysfunction in head and neck cancer

BackgroundDespite recent advances in understanding the complex immunologic dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment (TME), fewer than 20% of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Thus, it is important to understand how inhibitory IC receptors maintain the suppressed dysfunctional TME, and to develop more effective combination immunotherapy. This study evaluated the immune-modulating effects of Curcumin, which has well-established anti-cancer and chemopreventive properties, and its long-term safety as a phytochemical drug.MethodsWe carried out the western blot and small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection assay to evaluate the effects of Curcumin on IC ligands and IC ligands function in HNSCC. Through T-cell cytotoxicity assay and measurements of cytokine secretion, we assessed the effects of combination of Curcumin with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) Ab on cancer cell killing. Flow cytometry were used to analyze the effects of Curcumin on the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain3 (TIM-3) on CD4, CD8 and Treg. Immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detecte the cytokine (IFN-γ, Granzyme B), IC receptors (PD-1 and TIM-3) and its ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2, Galectin-9) in xenograft mouse model and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) oral cancer model.ResultsWe found that Curcumin decreased the expression of IC ligands such as PD-L1, PD-L2, and Galectin-9 in HNSCC, leading to regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-associated tumor invasion. Curcumin also effectively restored the ability of CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells to lyse cancer cells. To evaluate the effect of Curcumin on the TME further, the 4-NQO oral cancer model was used. Curcumin increased T-cell proliferation, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and effector cytokines, and decreased the expression of PD-1, TIM-3, suppressive IC receptors and their ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2, and Galectin-9) in the TME, implying reinvigoration of the exhausted CD8⁺ T cells. In addition, Curcumin inhibited expression of CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg cells as well as PD-1 and TIM-3.ConclusionsThese results show that Curcumin reinvigorates defective T cells via multiple (PD-1 and TIM-3) and multi-level (IC receptors and its ligands) IC axis suppression, thus providing a rationale to combine Curcumin with conventional targeted therapy or ICB as a multi-faceted approach for treating patients with HNSCC.     

外周血T细胞CD38和HLA-DR的表达水平在儿童传染性单核细胞增多症中的临床意义

摘要 目的：探讨传染性单核细胞增多症（IM）患儿外周血T细胞活化分子CD38和人类白细胞抗原DR（HLA-DR）表达水平的临床意义。方法：采用流式细胞术分别检测45例IM患儿急性期和恢复期的活化分子CD38和HLA-DR在T细胞的表达水平,并与30例健康体检儿童进行对比。分析IM患儿急性期CD38和HLA-DR在T细胞的表达水平与EB病毒载量、肝功能指标、外周血异型淋巴细胞比例、淋巴细胞计数的相关性,并采用ROC曲线分析CD8⁺CD38⁺T和CD8⁺HLA-DR+T细胞百分比的诊断效能。结果：与对照组比较,IM急性期患儿的CD38和HLA-DR在T细胞的表达水平显著升高（P＜0.05）。CD8⁺CD38⁺T、CD8⁺HLA-DR+T细胞百分比分别与EBV-DNA、ALT、AST、LDH、异型淋巴细胞百分比、淋巴细胞计数呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与白蛋白（ALB）呈负相关（P＜0.05）;CD4⁺CD38⁺T、CD4⁺HLA-DR+T细胞百分比与上述指标无显著相关性（P均＞0.05）。IM恢复期CD38和HLA-DR在T细胞的表达水平较急性期明显降低（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析CD8⁺CD38⁺T、CD8⁺HLA-DR+T细胞百分比显示诊断儿童IM的AUC值分别为0.931和0.993,特异度均为100%,灵敏度分别为88.89 %和93.33 %。结论：流式法检测CD38和HLA-DR在T细胞的变化有助于判断病情变化。外周血CD8⁺CD38⁺T、CD8⁺HLA-DR+T细胞百分比不仅能反映出IM急性期肝功能损伤严重程度,还可作为儿童IM的流式诊断指标。     

羧基化介孔二氧化硅纳米颗粒递送PD-L1抑制剂治疗膀胱癌的作用研究

摘要 目的：构建羧基化介孔二氧化硅纳米颗粒（COOH-MSN）递送PD-L1抑制剂治疗膀胱癌。方法：构建负载PD-L1抑制剂的COOH-MSNs,透射电镜检测纳米颗粒的特征,zeta电位分析仪检测纳米颗粒的电位变化;流式细胞术检测血液中T细胞和CD8⁺T细胞的比例;MTT实验检测细胞增殖;构建小鼠荷瘤模型,HE染色检测基本的病理学变化,免疫组化检测ki-67的表达。结果：透射电镜结果显示纳米颗粒呈圆形,直径约为100 nm;COOH-MSNs表面带负电荷,BSA呈强负电性,BSA包封后纳米材料整体负电荷增强;纳米材料可显著提高T细胞和CD8⁺T细胞的比例,并进一步抑制膀胱癌细胞的增殖;动物实验结果显示纳米材料可抑制移植瘤的生长,且移植瘤内淋巴细胞的数量显著升高;免疫组化结果显示相对于PD-L1抑制剂组,纳米材料组ki-67增殖指数显著减低;HE染色结果显示PD-L1抑制剂组肾组织内可观察到血管充血、扩张和较多炎细胞浸润,而纳米材料组肾组织损伤程度显著降低。结论：我们构建了一种负载有PD-L1抑制剂的COOH-MSNs,可有效激活抗肿瘤免疫反应,并降低对正常器官的损伤。     

CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in cancer immunotherapy: A review

CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are preferred immune cells for targeting cancer. During cancer progression, CTLs encounter dysfunction and exhaustion due to immunerelated tolerance and immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME), with all favor adaptive immune-resistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), macrophage type 2 (M2) cells, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) could make immunologic barriers against CD8 ⁺ T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses. Thus, CD8 ⁺ T cells are needed to be primed and activated toward effector CTLs in a process called tumor immunity cycle for making durable and efficient antitumor immune responses. The CD8 ⁺ T cell priming is directed essentially as a corroboration work between cells of innate immunity including dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells with CD4 ⁺ T cells in adoptive immunity. Upon activation, effector CTLs infiltrate to the core or invading site of the tumor (so-called infiltrated–inflamed [I–I] TME) and take essential roles for killing cancer cells. Exogenous reactivation and/or priming of CD8 ⁺ T cells can be possible using rational immunotherapy strategies. The increase of the ratio for costimulatory to coinhibitory mediators using immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) approach. Programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1)–ligand (PD-L1) and CTL-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) are checkpoint receptors that can be targeted for relieving exhaustion of CD8 ⁺ T cells and renewing their priming, respectively, and thereby eliminating antigen-expressing cancer cells. Due to a diverse relation between CTLs with Tregs, the Treg activity could be dampened for increasing the number and rescuing the functional potential of CTLs to induce immunosensitivity of cancer cells.     

Exosomes-delivered PD-L1 siRNA and CTLA-4 siRNA protect against growth and tumor immune escape in colorectal cancer

ObjectiveThis study aims to dissect impacts of exosomes-delivered PD-L1 and CTLA-4 siRNAs on colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and immune responses.MethodsExosomes containing PD-L1 siRNA and CTLA-4 siRNA were prepared and utilized to treat CRC cells to evaluate their effects. A tumor-bearing mouse model was established for verification.ResultsExosomes containing PD-L1 siRNA and CTLA-4 siRNA repressed malignant features of CRC cells and restrained tumor growth and activated tumor immune responses in vivo. Co-culture of CRC cells treated with exosomes containing PD-L1 siRNA and CTLA-4 siRNA with human CD8⁺ T cells increased the percentage of CD8⁺ T cells, decreased the apoptotic rate of CD8⁺ T cells, elevated IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α expression in cell supernatants, reduced adherent density of CRC cells, augmented the positive rate of CRC cells, and subdued tumor immune escape.ConclusionExosomes containing PD-L1 siRNA and CTLA-4 siRNA suppressed CRC progression and enhanced tumor immune responses.     

Enhanced programmed death 1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) expression in patients with actinic cheilitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma

PD-1 and PD-L1 can be involved in tumor escape, and little is known about the role of these molecules in oral tumors or pre-malignant lesions. In the present study, we investigated the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in the blood and lesion samples of patients with actinic cheilitis (AC) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Our results showed that lymphocytes from peripheral blood and tissue samples exhibited high expression of PD-1 in both groups analyzed. Patients with AC presented higher percentage as well as the absolute numbers of CD4⁺PD-1⁺ and CD8⁺PD-1⁺ lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) than healthy individuals, while patients with OSCC presented an increased frequency of CD8⁺PD1⁺ in PBMC when compared with controls. On the other hand, increased frequency of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells expressing PD-1⁺ accumulate in samples from OSCC, and the expression of PD-L1 was intense in OSCC and moderate in AC lesion sites. Lower levels of IFN-γ and higher levels of TGF-β were detected in OSCC samples. Our data demonstrate that PD-1 and PD-L1 molecules are present in blood and samples of AC and OSCC patients. Further studies are required to understand the significance of PD-1 and PD-L1 in oral tumors microenvironment.     

A Potential Inhibitory Profile of Liver CD68+ Cells during HCV Infection as Observed by an Increased CD80 and PD-L1 but Not CD86 Expression

AimThe lack of potent innate immune responses during HCV infection might lead to a delay in initiating adaptive immune responses. Kupffer cells (KCs) and liver-infiltrating monocytes/macrophages (CD68⁺ cells) are essential to establish effective anti-HCV responses. They express co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86. CD86 upregulation induces activator responses that are then potentially regulated by CD80. The relative levels of expression of CD80, CD86 and the inhibitory molecule, PD-L1, on CD68⁺ cells modulate T cell activation. A few studies have explored CD80 and PD-L1 expression on KCs and infiltrating monocytes/macrophages in HCV-infected livers, and none investigated CD86 expression in these cells. These studies have identified these cells based on morphology only. We investigated the stimulatory/inhibitory profile of CD68⁺ cells in HCV-infected livers based on the balance of CD80, CD86 and PD-L1 expression.MethodsCD80, CD86 and PD-L1 expression by CD68⁺ cells in the lobular and portal areas of the liver of chronic HCV-infected (n = 16) and control (n = 14) individuals was investigated using double staining immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe count of CD68⁺ KCs in the lobular areas of the HCV-infected livers was lower than that in the control (p = 0.041). The frequencies of CD68⁺CD80⁺ cells and CD68⁺PD-L1⁺ cells in both lobular and total areas of the liver were higher in HCV-infected patients compared with those in the control group (p = 0.001, 0.031 and 0.007 respectively). Moreover, in the lobular areas of the HCV-infected livers, the frequency of CD68⁺CD80⁺ cells was higher than that of CD68⁺CD86⁺ and CD68⁺PD-L1⁺ cells. In addition, the frequencies of CD68⁺CD80⁺ and CD68⁺CD86⁺ cells were higher in the lobular areas than the portal areas.ConclusionsOur results show that CD68⁺ cells have an inhibitory profile in the HCV-infected livers. This might help explain the delayed T cell response and viral persistence during HCV infection.     

CD169-positive macrophages enhance abscopal effect of radiofrequency ablation therapy in liver cancer

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely used and effective treatment for primary or metastatic liver cancer with small-size lesions. However, the therapeutic effectiveness of RFA in controlling metastatic lesion or recurrence is still limited. As the major cell population in tumor microenvironment (TME), macrophages have been reported to be recruited to RFA-treated lesion, but their roles are still unclear. Herein, we successfully established the mouse model mimicking RFA-induced abscopal effect, in which RFA eliminated the local orthotopic liver tumor but failed to control growth of distant tumor. Correspondently, RFA suppressed protumoral activation of local tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), but failed to reprogram TAMs in distance. Importantly, although RFA led to reduced proportion of hepatic CD169⁺ macrophages in local and decreased expression of immune inhibitory molecules Tim-3 and PD-L1, these alterations were not observed for CD169⁺ macrophages in distant TME. Further RNA-seq and flow cytometry analysis showed that hepatic CD169⁺ macrophages contributed to reprograming TME through recruiting CD8⁺ T/NK cells and suppressing accumulation of MDSCs/Tregs. Consistently, depletion of CD169⁺ macrophages in CD169-DTR mouse greatly promoted liver tumor progression and largely dampened RFA-induced tumor suppression. Notably, transfer of CD169⁺ macrophages synergistically enhanced RFA-induced inhibition of distant tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first study which demonstrates hepatic CD169⁺ macrophages as a key factor responsible for RFA-induced abscopal effect. Our data suggest RFA with transfer of CD169⁺ macrophages as a promising combination therapy to lessen metastasis or recurrence of liver cancer in patients.     

Tumor microenvironment disparity in multiple primary lung cancers: Impact of non-intrinsic factors,histological subtypes,and genetic aberrations

IntroductionMultiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs) occur in common carcinogenetic risks such as lifestyle, biological aging, immune responses, hormones, and metabolism. Although MPLCs harbor various genetic profiles within the same individuals, differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are unclear. We investigated the impact of genetic aberrations, non-intrinsic factors, and pathological subtypes on tumor immunity.Materials and MethodsIn total, 73 surgically resected specimens from 32 patients with MPLC were analyzed. PD-L1 expression in tumor cells (TCs) and immune cells (ICs), CD3-positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD8/CD3 ratios, and FOXP3-positive TILs that compose TMEs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and classified on a score of 0–2. 38 tumors were sequenced for somatic mutations in 409 cancer-associated genes.ResultsFemales and never or light smokers had a higher incidence of PD-L1-negative tumors and a higher concordance rate. PD-L1 positivity in TCs and ICs was significantly less frequent in EGFR-mutated than in wild-type tumors. Differences in the score of TMEs were observed between the KRAS-mutated-only tumor and the KRAS and TP53-co-mutated tumors, and between the KRAS-mutated-only tumor and the KRAS and STK11-co-mutated tumors. Significantly more FOXP3-high TILs were observed in invasive pathological subtypes than in non-invasive ones.ConclusionComparing TMEs among MPLCs revealed that non-smokers or light smokers and females were unlikely to express PD-L1 regardless of tumor site and confirmed that the EGFR mutations and co-occurring KRAS and STK11 or TP53 mutations were associated with TME. Pathological subtypes may impact the efficacy of immune therapy due to their potential correlations with regulatory T cells.     

Increased tumor-infiltrating CD8+Foxp3+ T lymphocytes are associated with tumor progression in human gastric cancer

Background

CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes have been detected in tumors. However, the distribution, phenotypic features, and regulation of these cells in gastric cancer remain unknown.

Methods

The levels of CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, tumor-draining lymph nodes, non-tumor tissues, and tumor tissues of patients with gastric cancer were detected by flow cytometry. Foxp3 induction in CD8⁺Foxp3^? T cells was investigated in vitro. The suppressive function of CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes was analyzed by their effect on CD4⁺ T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. The percentages of CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes were evaluated for the association with tumor stage.

Results

The frequency of CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumor tissues, and similar results were also observed in tumor-draining lymph nodes compared with peripheral blood. Most intratumoral CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes were activated effector cells (CD45RA^?CD27^?). TGF-β1 levels were positively correlated with the frequency of CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes in tumor tissues, and in vitro TGF-β1 could induce the generation of CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, intratumoral CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes suppressed the proliferation and IFN-γ production of CD4⁺ T cells. Finally, intratumoral CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes were significantly increased with tumor progression in terms of tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage.

Conclusions

Our data have shown that increased intratumoral CD8⁺Foxp3⁺ T lymphocytes are associated with tumor stage and potentially influence CD4⁺ T-cell functions, which may provide insights for developing novel immunotherapy protocols against gastric cancer.     

Tumor-associated macrophage-derived chemokine CCL5 facilitates the progression and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Background: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) dominate the malignancy of cancers by perturbing the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, the clinical implications of heterogeneous subpopulations of TAMs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remain to be elucidated.Methods: We comprehensively evaluated the prognostic implications, biological behaviors, and immunogenomics features of the C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 5 (CCL5) expression and CCL5⁺ TME in vitro and in 932 real-world ccRCC patients from testing and public validation cohorts. Flow cytometry was used to examine the functional patterns of CCL5⁺ TAMs with TME cell-infiltrating characterizations.Results: Our results identified distinct prognostic clusters with gradual changes in clinicopathological indicators based on CCL5 expression. Knockdown of CCL5 significantly restrained cell viability, migration capabilities of ccRCC cells, and the inhibits the proliferation and chemotaxis of THP1-derived TAMs. Mechanically, down-regulation of CCL5 arrested epithelial-mesenchymal transition by modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway in ccRCC cells. In ccRCC samples with CCL5 upregulation, the proportion of CCL5⁺ TAMs and PD-L1⁺ CD68⁺ TAMs were prominently increased, showing a typical suppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Besides, intra-tumoral CCL5⁺ TAMs showed distinct pro-tumorigenic TME features characterized by exhausted CD8⁺ T cells and increased expression of immune checkpoints. Furthermore, elevated CCL5⁺ TAMs infiltration was prominently associated with a dismal prognosis for patients with ccRCC.Conclusion: In conclusion, this study first revealed the predictive value of the chemokine CCL5 on the progression and TME of ccRCC. The intra-tumoral CCL5⁺ TAMs could be applied to comprehensively evaluate the prognostic patterns as well as unique TME characteristics among individuals, allowing for the identification of immunophenotypes and promotion of treatment efficiency for ccRCC.     

Graves病患者外周血中CD4+CD25+Treg细胞上的PD-1/PD-L1的表达及意义

目的:探究Graves病患者外周血中CD4+CD25+Treg细胞上的PD-1/P-L1的表达及意义。方法:收集2017年6月至2017年12月就诊于西南医科大学附属医院内分泌科的Graves病、Graves眼病及体检中心的健康者的外周血进行流式检测。结果:与正常对照组相比,Graves病及Graves眼病组CD4+CD25+Treg细胞比例明显降低(P0.05);PD-1+Treg、PD-L1+Treg、PD-1+/PD-L1+Treg细胞比例均较正常组明显降低(P0.05);此外,Graves眼病组的结果较Graves病组更低(P0.05)。结论:CD4+CD25+Treg的降低会导致Graves病和Graves眼病患者的免疫状态活化,甲状腺自身抗体的增加和活化,促进疾病的发生。此外于PD-1和PD-L1阳性细胞比例的减少对于其对免疫的负向调节有所减弱,从而导致患者体内免疫耐受的降低和免疫稳态的打破,可能导致机体对甲状腺抗原的耐受消失,导致GD及眼病的发生发展。     

Targeting NKT cells and PD-L1 pathway results in augmented anti-tumor responses in a melanoma model

Invariant or Type 1 NKT cells (iNKT cells) are a unique population of lymphocytes that share characteristics of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Various studies have shown that positive costimulatory pathways such as the CD28 and CD40 pathways can influence the expansion and cytokine production by iNKT cells. However, little is understood about the regulation of iNKT cells by negative costimulatory pathways. Here, we show that in vivo activation with α-GalCer results in increased cytokine production and expansion of iNKT cells in the absence of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1, B7-H1, and CD274). To study whether PD-L1 deficiency on NKT cells would enhance antigen-specific T-cell responses, we utilized CD8⁺ OT-1 OVA transgenic T cells. α-GalCer enhanced the expansion and cytokine production of OT-1 CD8⁺ cells after adoptive transfer into wild-type recipients. However, this expansion was significantly enhanced when OT-1 CD8⁺ T cells were adoptively transferred into PD-L1^−/− recipients. To extend these results to a tumor model, we used the B16 melanoma system. PD-L1^−/− mice given dendritic cells loaded with antigen and α-GalCer had a significant reduction in tumor growth and this was associated with increased trafficking of antigen-presenting cells and CD8⁺ T cells to the tumors. These data demonstrate that abrogating PDL1:PD-1 interactions during the activation of iNKT cells amplifies an anti-tumor response when coupled with DC vaccination.     

Oxaliplatin induces immunogenic cells death and enhances therapeutic efficacy of checkpoint inhibitor in a model of murine lung carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Platinum compounds are commonly used for lung cancer treatment. However, the severe side effects and relatively poor prognosis limit their therapeutic effect. Therefore, developing novel platinum derivative and treatment strategy are critical for current lung cancer therapy.

Methods: Flow cytometry, HMGB1 and ATP release, and immunoblotting were performed to evaluate the Oxaliplatin-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) in two lung carcinoma cells. Vaccination approach and subcutaneous tumor models were created to analyze the tumor regression effect of Oxaliplatin. PD-L1 mRNA and protein levels were detected in LLC (Lewis lung carcinoma). Enhanced therapeutic efficacy of LLC was assessed by co-administration Oxaliplatin and aPD-L1 in murine lung tumor model.

Results: Oxaliplatin induced robust ICD in LLC cells, activated dendritic cells (DCs, CD80⁺CD86⁺) and enhanced cytotoxic T cells (CD8⁺) in LLC tumor tissues, which resulted in tumor regression. Co-administration of Oxaliplatin and checkpoint inhibitor, aPD-L1, could enhance the therapeutic efficacy of LLC in murine lung carcinoma.

Conclusion: This study reveals Oxaliplatin can induce robust ICD in tumor tissues and suppress tumor growth by activating DCs and enhancing T-cell infiltration. Notably, the Oxaliplatin-induced ICD provides an immunogenic microenvironment, which enhances the checkpoint inhibitor therapeutic efficacy of LLC.     

Normalization of Tumor Microenvironment by Neem Leaf Glycoprotein Potentiates Effector T Cell Functions and Therapeutically Intervenes in the Growth of Mouse Sarcoma

We have observed restriction of the murine sarcoma growth by therapeutic intervention of neem leaf glycoprotein (NLGP). In order to evaluate the mechanism of tumor growth restriction, here, we have analyzed tumor microenvironment (TME) from sarcoma bearing mice with NLGP therapy (NLGP-TME, in comparison to PBS-TME). Analysis of cytokine milieu within TME revealed IL-10, TGFβ, IL-6 rich type 2 characters was switched to type 1 microenvironment with dominance of IFNγ secretion within NLGP-TME. Proportion of CD8⁺ T cells was increased within NLGP-TME and these T cells were protected from TME-induced anergy by NLGP, as indicated by higher expression of pNFAT and inhibit related downstream signaling. Moreover, low expression of FasR⁺ cells within CD8⁺ T cell population denotes prevention from activation induced cell death. Using CFSE as a probe, better migration of T cells was noted within TME from NLGP treated mice than PBS cohort. CD8⁺ T cells isolated from NLGP-TME exhibited greater cytotoxicity to sarcoma cells in vitro and these cells show higher expression of cytotoxicity related molecules, perforin and granzyme B. Adoptive transfer of NLGP-TME exposed T cells, but not PBS-TME exposed cells in mice, is able to significantly inhibit the growth of sarcoma in vivo. Such tumor growth inhibition by NLGP-TME exposed T cells was not observed when mice were depleted for CD8⁺ T cells. Accumulated evidences strongly suggest NLGP mediated normalization of TME allows T cells to perform optimally to inhibit the tumor growth.     

T Lymphocyte Density and Distribution in Human Colorectal Mucosa,and Inefficiency of Current Cell Isolation Protocols

Mucosal tissues are critical immune effector sites containing complex populations of leukocytes in a tissue microenvironment that remains incompletely understood. We identify and quantify in human distal colorectal tissue absolute mucosal CD3⁺ lymphocytes, including CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ subsets, by direct visualization using immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and an automated counting protocol (r²=0.90). Sigmoid and rectal mucosal tissues are both densely packed with T lymphocytes in the mucosal compartment. Both compartments had similar densities of CD3⁺ T lymphocytes with 37,400 ± 2,801 cells/mm³ and 33,700 ± 4,324 cell/mm³, respectively. Sigmoid mucosa contained 57% CD3⁺CD4⁺ and 40% CD3⁺CD8⁺ T lymphocytes which calculates to 21,300 ± 1,476/mm³ and 15,000 ± 275/mm³ T lymphocytes, respectively. Rectal mucosa had 57% CD3⁺CD4⁺ and 42% CD3⁺CD8⁺ or 21,577 ± 332, and 17,090 ± 1,206 cells/mm³, respectively. By comparison, sigmoid mucosal biopsies subjected to conventional collagenase digestion, mononuclear cell (MMC) isolation and staining for flow cytometry yielded 4,549 ± 381/mm³ and 2,708 ± 245/mm³ CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. These data suggest only ~20.7% recovery compared to IHC results for these markers. Further studies will determine if this reflects a selective bias in only CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells or can be generalized to all flow-analyzed cells from mucosal tissues for phenotyping and functional testing.     

PD-L1 expression and the prognostic significance in gastric cancer: a retrospective comparison of three PD-L1 antibody clones (SP142, 28–8 and E1L3N)

Background

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) displays staining diversity. We compared IHC staining of PD-L1 in gastric cancer (GC) by using three commercially available antibody clones, and analyzed the correlation with the prognosis.

Methods

IHC using PD-L1 antibodies (clones SP142, 28–8 and E1L3N) in 315 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples was qualitatively compared at the 1, 5 and 10% cut-off by two pathologists on total, tumor and immune/stromal cells. We used computer – assisted scoring to quantitatively analyze and compare the “H-score” of PD-L1 expression in 66 samples on total cells. The antibody clone SP142 was selected to investigate the infiltration of PD-L1⁺CD8⁺ T cells using automated quantitative immunofluorescence analyses (n?=?50) and the prognostic significance. The prognoses were assessed by log-rank test.

Results

PD-L1 clones SP142 and 28–8 displayed great concordance by qualitative (κ?=?0.816, 0.810 for total cells and tumor cells at the 5% cut-off) and quantitative analyses (R²?=?0.7991, 0.8187 for positive percentage and “H-score”). PD-L1 clone SP142 showed the highest positivity in immune/stromal cells staining (18.41%) compared to 28–8 (7.62%), while clone E1L3N showed poor staining in both tumor and immune/stromal cells. Clone SP142, but not 28–8 and E1L3N, predicted a worse prognosis at the 5% cut-off (p?=?0.0243). Both the clone SP142 and 28–8 had high inter-pathologist correlation for tumor staining (R²?=?0.9805 and R²?=?0.9853), but a moderate correlation for stromal/immune cell staining (R²?=?0.5653 and R²?=?0.5745). Furthermore, a higher density of PD-L1⁺CD8⁺ T cells was correlated with a shorter survival time (R²?=?0.0909, p?=?0.0352).

Conclusions

PD-L1 antibody clone SP142 was superior in cell staining, particularly in immune/stromal cell and prognosis. These findings are important for selection of PD-L1 antibody clones in the future diagnostic test.

     

The Reduction of Peripheral Blood CD4+ T Cell Indicates Persistent Organ Failure in Acute Pancreatitis

ObjectiveFew data are available on the potential role of inflammatory mediators and T lymphocytes in persistent organ failure (POF) in acute pancreatitis (AP). We conducted a retrospective study to characterize their role in the progression of POF in AP.MethodsA total of 69 AP patients presented within 24 hours from symptom onset developing organ failure (OF) on admission were included in our study. There were 39 patients suffering from POF and 30 from transient OF (TOF). On the 1st, 3rd and 7th days after admission, blood samples were collected for biochemical concentration monitoring including serum IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). The proportions of peripheral CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes were assessed based on flow cytometry simultaneously.ResultsPatients with POF showed a significantly higher value of IL-1β and hs-CRP on day 7 compared with the group of TOF (P < 0.05). Proportions of CD4⁺ T cells on days 1, 3, 7 and CD4⁺ / CD8⁺ ratio on day 1 were statistically lower in the group of POF patients (P < 0.05). A CD4⁺ T cell proportion of 30.34% on day 1 predicted POF with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.798, a sensitivity with 61.54% and specificity with 90.00%, respectively.ConclusionsThe reduction of peripheral blood CD4⁺ T lymphocytes is associated with POF in AP, and may act as a potential predictor.     

慢阻肺患者运动负荷气道反应性与T细胞亚群的关系

摘要 目的：探讨与分析慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者运动负荷气道反应性与T细胞亚群的关系。方法：2020年1月到2022年4月选择在本院诊治的慢阻肺患者88例作为慢阻肺组,同期选择在本院进行健康体检者88例作为健康组,检测两组T细胞亚群含量,判定两组的运动负荷气道反应性情况并进行相关性分析。结果：慢阻肺组的CD8⁺T淋巴细胞比例明显高于健康组,CD3⁺T淋巴细胞、CD4⁺T淋巴细胞比例明显低于健康组（P<0.05）。慢阻肺组的运动负荷气道反应性发生率为20.9 %,明显高于健康组的1.2 %（P<0.05）。在慢阻肺中,Spearsman分析显示运动负荷气道反应性发生率与CD3+T淋巴细胞、CD4⁺T淋巴细胞、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞比例存在相关性（P<0.05）。logistic回归分析显示CD3⁺T淋巴细胞、CD4⁺T淋巴细胞、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞比例都为影响运动负荷气道反应性发生的重要危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：慢阻肺患者多伴随有T细胞亚群异常,也多伴随有运动负荷气道反应性,运动负荷气道反应性与T细胞亚群存在相关性,也表明T细胞亚群紊乱是导致运动负荷气道反应性发生的重要因素。