Cytokines as Prognostic Biomarkers of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: The value of cytokines as epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) prognostic factors has been widely investigated. This study aimed to determine the role of single cytokine as a biomarker prognosis in EOC. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting cytokine as the prognostic predictor in EOC based on PRISMA guideline. We included English articles investigating associations of preoperative cytokines level in tissue, blood or ascites with overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) from PUBMED and EBSCO. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Fifty studies investigating twenty types of cytokines in tumor tissue, serum, and ascites from 5,376 patients were included. Pre-operative high VEGF level was associated with poor OS (HR 2.28, 95%CI [1.28, 3.28]) and DFS (HR 2.13, 95%CI [1.63, 2.78]) in serum and OS (HR 1.80, 95%CI [1.45, 2.23]) in tissue. IL-6 level in blood was associated with DFS (HR 1.60, 95%CI [1.21, 2.11]). There was no single cytokine which investigated by at least 2 studies reporting hazard ratio in ascites, so we did not conduct the meta-analysis. Other cytokines (serum IL-8; ascites fluid IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α; and ovarian tissue TGF-α, CSF-1, IL-10 ,TGF-β1, IL-17) associated with the poorer prognosis, could not be pooled due to lack of studies. Conclusion: Pre-operative VEGF level in serum and tissue specimen seem to be the potential candidate of an unfavorable prognostic biomarker for EOC. The evidence was lacking to support the other cytokines investigated in blood, tissue and ascites as prognostic biomarkers for EOC.     

Th1／Th2类细胞因子在卵巢癌患者检测的意义

 目的 探讨卵巢癌患者血浆中Th1／Th2类细胞因子的变化及其临床意义。方法 用流式细胞微球芯片捕获技术检测34例卵巢癌患者及14例健康妇女血浆中IL-2、IFN-γ、TNF-α、IL-4、IL-6、IL-10水平。结果 卵巢癌患者较健康妇女血浆中IL-2、IFN-γ、TNF-α水平明显降低，而IL-4、IL-6、IL-10明显升高（其中IL-10升高无统计学意义），且这种变化随临床期别的升高更加明显。结论 卵巢癌患者外周血中Th1／Th2类细胞因子平衡失调，检测Th1／Th2类细胞因子可作为评价卵巢癌临床进展及预后指标。     

小细胞及非小细胞肺癌CD+4细胞因子水平的观察

 目的 观察Ⅲb期及Ⅳ期小细胞肺癌（SCLC）及非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）患者辅助性T淋巴细胞亚群（Th1、Th2）细胞因子表达的特点，探讨不同病理类型肺癌的免疫学特点。方法 选择TNM分期为Ⅲb期和Ⅳ期的肺癌患者，分别按照SCLC、NSCLC分为两组，采取静脉血标本，用Th1、Th2细胞因子标记流式细胞技术检测干扰素（IFN-γ）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）、白细胞介素（IL）-2、-4、-6、-10，比较相同分期的SCLC与NSCLC患者外周血CD+4细胞分泌细胞因子水平的变化。结果 Ⅲb期SCLC患者周围血CD+4细胞表达TNF-α明显高于NSCLC患者[（10.57±2.94）%、（7.03±3.06）%]（P＜0.05），而IL-4明显低于NSCLC患者[（2.48±0.55）%、（4.32±1.74）%]，Ⅳ期SCLC患者外周血CD+4细胞表达Th1／Th2（IFN-γ／IL-4）低于Ⅳ期NSCLC患者。结论 SCLC中Th2细胞因子的高表达及IFN-γ／IL-4的降低可能预示预后不良，在NSCLC中，TNF-α的增高对预后更加有意义。     

Early detection of tumor cells by innate immune cells leads to T(reg) recruitment through CCL22 production by tumor cells

In breast carcinomas, patient survival seems to be negatively affected by the recruitment of regulatory T cells (T(reg)) within lymphoid aggregates by CCL22. However, the mechanisms underpinning this process, which may be of broader significance in solid tumors, have yet to be described. In this study, we determined how CCL22 production is controlled in tumor cells. In human breast carcinoma cell lines, CCL22 was secreted at low basal levels that were strongly increased in response to inflammatory signals [TNF-α, IFN-γ, and interleukin (IL)-1β], contrasting with CCL17. Primary breast tumors and CD45(+) infiltrating immune cells appeared to cooperate in driving CCL22 secretion, as shown clearly in cocultures of breast tumor cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or their supernatants. We determined that monocyte-derived IL-1β and TNF-α are key players as monocyte depletion or neutralization of these cytokines attenuated secretion of CCL22. However, when purified monocytes were used, exogenous human IFN-γ was also required to generate this response suggesting a role for IFN-γ-producing cells within PBMCs. In this setting, we found that human IFN-γ could be replaced by the addition of (i) IL-2 or K562-activated natural killer (NK) cells or (ii) resting NK cells in the presence of anti-MHC class I antibody. Taken together, our results show a dialogue between NK and tumor cells leading to IFN-γ secretion, which in turn associates with monocyte-derived IL-1β and TNF-α to drive production of CCL22 by tumor cells and subsequent recruitment of T(reg). As one validation of this conclusion in primary breast tumors, we showed that NK cells and macrophages tend to colocalize within tumors. In summary, our findings suggest that at early times during tumorigenesis, the detection of tumor cells by innate effectors (monocytes and NK cells) imposes a selection for CCL22 secretion that recruits T(reg) to evade this early antitumor immune response.     

高危型人乳头状瘤病毒载量和Th1/Th2不均衡表达预测宫颈癌变进程的研究

目的 比较高危型人乳头状瘤病毒载量(HR-HPV DNA)、Th1和Th2型细胞因子在不同宫颈局部微环境的表达差异, 探讨其预测宫颈癌变的可能性和意义。方法 将339例HR-HPV持续感染者分为宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)和宫颈癌两组, 以HPV阴性且细胞学检查为正常宫颈的40例作为对照, 采用PCR荧光法和双抗体夹心ELISA法分别检测宫颈分泌物HPV-DNA以及Th1型细胞因子:白细胞介素-2(IL-2)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、肿瘤坏死因子-ɑ(TNF-ɑ)和Th2型细胞因子IL-4、IL-6、IL-10的表达水平, 以TNF-ɑ/IL-10比值作为衡量Th1/Th2免疫平衡的指标, 对数据资料进行单因素方差分析和多因素Logistic回归分析, 筛选宫颈癌预测指标。结果 单因素方差分析显示, HR-HPV DNA、IL-2、IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ、TNF-ɑ、TNF-ɑ/IL-10在CIN和宫颈癌组均存在统计学差异(P＜0.05), 可以作为预测宫颈癌变的危险因素, 而多因素Logistic回归分析显示, 仅IL-10、IFN-γ、TNF-ɑ、TNF-ɑ/IL-10是宫颈癌发生的影响因素, 回归模型拟合优度检验Nagelkerke R²=0.982, 对CIN的预判率为99.5%, 宫颈癌的预判率为100.0%, 总的正判率为99.7%, 提示拟合效果好, 预测准确度高。结论 CINⅠ和CINⅡ有Th细胞因子的异常表达, 但不影响Th1/Th2平衡, CINⅢ阶段Th1/Th2失衡, Th2优势表达促进宫颈癌发生, 基于预测宫颈癌变的回归模型, 局部免疫失衡造成的宫颈免疫抑制微环境是HR-HPV持续感染和宫颈癌变的关键环节, 与HR-HPV DNA无关。     

调节性T细胞及Th1/Th2细胞因子在急性白血病中的表达及意义

目的:探讨调节性T细胞（Tregs）及Th1/Th2型细胞因子在急性白血病发病中的作用。方法:采用流式细胞术检测37例急性白血病患者［包括急性髓细胞性白血病（acute myeloid leukemia,AML）24例,急性淋巴细胞白血病（acute lymphocytic leukemia,ALL）13例］及28例健康对照者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs的比例,酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）法检测血浆IL-2、IFN-γ、IL-10、IL-4和TGF-β水平。结果:AML和ALL患者外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs比例均高于健康对照组 (P＜0.05);AML及ALL患者血浆IL-4、IL-10和TGF-β水平均较健康对照组升高 (P＜0.05);IFN-γ水平较健康对照组降低 (P＜0.05);IL-2水平与健康对照组比较无明显差异 (P＞0.05)。结论:Tregs与Th1/Th2细胞因子同时参与了急性白血病的发生;急性白血病患者机体Th1/Th2细胞因子失衡,Th2占优势状态,这可能是导致急性白血病细胞免疫逃逸的原因之一;Tregs可能通过影响Th1/Th2细胞因子平衡参与急性白血病的发病。     

Sensitization of ovarian carcinoma cells with zoledronate restores the cytotoxic capacity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells impaired by the prostaglandin E2 immunosuppressive factor: implications for immunotherapy

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) usually spreads into the peritoneal cavity, thereby providing an opportunity for intraperitoneal adoptive immunotherapy with Vγ9Vδ2 T lymphocytes, a T cell subpopulation endowed with high lytic properties against tumor cells. However, previous studies have reported that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells fail to expand from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in one-third of patients with cancer. Here, from a cohort of 37 patients with EOC, a multiple correspondence analysis identified three populations, one of which was not suitable for Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell adoptive therapy. Interestingly, the ineligible patients were identified based on the frequency of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in their peripheral blood and the patients' age. The average time to tumor recurrence was also found to be significantly different between the three populations, suggesting that the innate immune response is involved in EOC prognosis. A dramatic decrease in the lytic properties of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells occurred following incubation with ascitic supernatant and was found to be associated with reduced perforin/granzyme degranulation. Prostaglandin E2, but not IL-6, IL-10, VEGF or TGF-β, showed immunosuppressive effects in Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. Interestingly, our results emphasize that pretreating ovarian tumor cells with zoledronate partially reverses the immunosuppressive effects of ovarian cancer-associated ascites and restores a high level of lytic activity. These data sustain that optimal Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell adoptive immunotherapy previously requires counteracting the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Altogether, our findings provide a rationale for clinically evaluating Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell adoptive immunotherapy with intraperitoneal carcinomatosis presensitization by zoledronate in patients with EOC.     

Relative expression levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokine mRNA are independent prognostic factors in patients with ovarian cancer

The aim of the present study was to examine mRNA expression levels of Th1 (TNF-alpha , IFN-gamma, and IL-12p40) and Th2 (IL-6 and IL-10) cytokines for any association with clinicopathological characteristics of epithelial ovarian cancer. mRNA was isolated, and cDNA prepared from 40 samples of epithelial ovarian cancers. Expression level of each cytokine mRNA was examined by the real-time PCR technique (GAPDH gene, internal control). Expression ratio (target gene/GAPDH) was used to evaluate gene expression. Results were analyzed against clinical stage, histological grade, and histological type. Prognostic significance of expression levels of each combination of Th1/Th2 values was assessed. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) expression levels were significantly higher in serous adenocarcinoma than in non-serous adenocarcinoma (p<0.05), but with no difference between individual cytokine mRNA expression levels and clinical stage or histological grade. Log-rank testing showed that high TNF-alpha mRNA expression (p=0.033) and the diameter of largest residual lesion at initial surgery (p=0.012) significantly correlate with longer survival in advanced stage (II/III/IV) ovarian carcinomas. In examining all combinations of Th1/Th2 expression values, the most significant association was between high IFN-gamma.IL-12p40/IL-6 expression levels and better prognosis in advanced stage (II/III/IV) ovarian carcinomas (p=0.004). In multivariate analysis, high IFN-gamma.IL-12p40/IL-6 expression (p=0.009) and the diameter of residual lesion (p=0.011) remained significantly associated with survival, whereas high TNF-alpha expression lost significance. In conclusion, Th1 and Th2 cytokines might play an important role in regulating the immune reaction in epithelial ovarian cancer cells. IFN-gamma.IL-12p40/IL-6 expression may be a useful prognostic molecular marker for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.     

Modulation of associated ovarian carcinoma antigens by 5 cytokines used as single agents or in combination

Optimization of intraperitoneal radioimmunotherapy of ovarian cancer depends on increasing the antigenic expression of tumor cells. For this purpose, we studied the effect of 5 cytokines (IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ, TNF-α and TGF-β), used as single agents or in combination, on 4 ovarian cancer cell lines which present different antigenic profiles with the monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) tested (OC125, OVTL-3, MOv 18 and MOv 19). Analyses were performed by flow cytometry and the Scatchard technique in order to study antigenic modulation. The effect on proliferation was determined by cell counting. Expression of O3 antigen, recognized by the OVTL3 MAb, was increased up to 2.5 times after IFNs and TNF-α (used as single agent) on the 2 lines presenting low basal expression (SHIN-3 and IGROVI). The expression of CAI25 antigen and the antigens recognized by MOv 18 and MOv 19 MAbs was not increased by any of the cytokines tested. The combination IFN-γ + TNF-α was synergistic on cytotoxicity and enhanced O3 expression, providing 10 times as many sites per cell on the SHIN-3 line. For 3 other associations (IFN-α + IFN-γ, IFN-β + IFN-γ and IFN-α + TNF-α), there was an additive effect on O3 expression and on cell cytotoxicity. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Transforming Growth Factor-β CD4+ T cells Tumor-bearing state Immunosuppression Enhanced Production of TGF-β and a Progressive Increase in TGF-β Susceptibility of Anti-tumor CD4+ T Cell Function

The present study deals with the effect of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) on anti-tumor immune responsiveness at various stages of the tumor-bearing state. Spleen cells from BALB/c mice bearing a syngeneic tumor (CSA1M) 1–3 wk after inoculation with CSA1M cells produced interleukin-2 (IL-2) and macrophage-activating factor (MAF)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ) upon in vitro culture without addition of exogenous tumor antigens. This lymphokine production was achieved through collaboration between anti-CSA1M CD4⁺ T cells and antigen-presenting cells that had been pulsed with CSA1M tumor antigens in vivo in the tumor-bearing state. The IL-2-producing capacity of CD4⁺ T cells reached the maximal level as early as one week after tumor implantation but decreased with the progress of tumor-bearing stages. In contrast, the capacity of CD4⁺ T cells to produce MAF/IFN-γ was not affected but was maintained at high levels even late in the tumor-bearing state. The addition of recombinant TGF-β (rTGF-β) to cultures of spleen cells from various tumor-bearing stages resulted in the suppression of lymphokine production. However, the magnitude of the TGF-β-induced suppression varied depending on which tumor-bearing stages of splenic cells were tested as a responding cell population; it was slight in cells from early (1–3 wk) tumor-bearing stages but increased in cells from donor mice at later tumor-bearing stages. Thus, spleen cells from late tumor-bearing stages with weak but significant IL-2-producing and considerable MAF/IFN-γ producing capacities failed to produce these lymphokines when rTGF-β was present in cultures. A progressive increase in the TGF-β susceptibility was also observed for IL-4-producing Th2 as well as IL-2/MAF-producing Th1 cells. In addition, increased levels of TGF-β were detected in plasma from tumor-bearing mice at late stages. Taken together, these results indicate that tumor-bearing mice exhibit enhanced production of TGF-β as well as a progressive increase in the susceptibility of anti-tumor CD4⁺ T cells to TGF-β-induced suppressive mechanisms.     

宫颈癌患者血清Th1、Th2细胞因子表达水平及意义

目的 探讨宫颈癌患者血清Th1、Th2细胞因子表达水平及意义.方法 选取宫颈癌患者94例(观察组),同时选取健康女性90例作为对照组,检测两组患者干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素-2(IL-2)、IL-4和IL-6.结果 观察组IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平分别为(52.13±9.55)pg/ml、(38.70±8.96)pg/ml、(27.61±6.22)pg/ml和(32.16±7.81)pg/ml,均高于对照组(P﹤0.05);Ⅲ~Ⅳ期患者IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平高于Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期患者(P﹤0.05),Ⅱ期患者IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平高于Ⅰ期患者(P﹤0.05);不同分化程度患者IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平比较差异无统计学意义(P﹥0.05),有无淋巴结转移患者IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-4和IL-6水平比较差异无统计学意义(P﹥0.05).结论 宫颈癌患者Th1/Th2细胞因子动态平衡紊乱,可能在肿瘤的发生发展中有一定作用.     

Immune Reconstitution of CD4+T Cells after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and its Correlation with Invasive Fungal Infection in Patients with Hematological Malignancies

Objective: To explore the immune reconstitution of CD4+T cells after allogeneic hematopoietic stem celltransplantation (Allo-HSCT) and its relationship with invasive fungal infection (IFI) in patients with hematologicalmalignancies. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven patients with hematological malignancies undergoing Allo-HSCT in Binzhou Medical University Hospital from February, 2010 to October, 2014 were selected. At 1, 2and 3 months after transplantation, the immune subpopulations and concentration of cytokines were assessedrespectively using flow cytometry (FCM) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The incidenceof IFI after transplantation and its correlation with immune reconstitution of CD4+T cells were investigated.Results: The number of CD4+T cells and immune subpopulations increased progressively after transplantationas time went on, but the subpopulation cell count 3 months after transplantation was still significantly lowerthan in the control group (p<0.01). In comparison to the control group, the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) andIL-10 after transplantation rose evidently (p<0.01), while that of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) wasdecreased (p<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference level of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (p>0.05). Theincidence of IFI was 19.2% (9/47), and multivariate logistic regression revealed that IFI might be related toTh17 cell count (p<0.05), instead of Th1, Th2 and Treg cell counts as well as IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β and IFN-γlevels (p>0.05). Conclusions: After Allo-HSCT, the immune reconstitution of CD4+T cells is delayed and Th17cell count decreases obviously, which may be related to occurrence of IFI.     

人表皮生长因子受体2多肽负载自体树突状细胞治疗乳腺癌的疗效分析

目的探讨人表皮生长因子受体2(HER-2)多肽负载自体树突状细胞对乳腺癌患者免疫耐受性、免疫应答水平的影响和临床疗效。方法选取HLA-A201阳性和HER-2阳性乳腺癌患者246例,其中观察组164例,对照组82例,两组患者均给予化疗或内分泌治疗。其中观察组患者给予树突状细胞(DC)免疫治疗每周1次,4次为1个疗程,连续3个疗程,疗程间隔时间为1个月;对照组未给予DC免疫治疗。于免疫治疗前后监测患者外周血中IL-2、IL-10、IL-12、TNF-α和IFN-γ水平,肿瘤特异性CD+8、IFNγ+和T淋巴细胞比例和迟发型超敏反应(delayed type hypersensitivity,DTH)试验。末次免疫后每3个月随访1次,随访2年后统计患者疾病进展时间(TTP)和无进展生存率(PFS)。结果观察组患者对DC疫苗均耐受良好,未发现II级以上不良反应发生。I^III期患者DC免疫治疗1个疗程后IL-2和IFN-γ总体水平均较治疗前(基线)显著升高(P<0.05),并维持较长时间的高水平状态;而IV期患者3个疗程完成后细胞因子水平仍无明显提高。3个疗程后外周血中特异性CD+8、IFN-γ+和T细胞得到明显扩增。DTH阳性率与免疫次数亦呈正相关关系(r=0.997),并且ⅠIII期患者DC免疫治疗1个疗程后IL-2和IFN-γ总体水平均较治疗前(基线)显著升高(P<0.05),并维持较长时间的高水平状态;而IV期患者3个疗程完成后细胞因子水平仍无明显提高。3个疗程后外周血中特异性CD+8、IFN-γ+和T细胞得到明显扩增。DTH阳性率与免疫次数亦呈正相关关系(r=0.997),并且Ⅰ^Ⅱ期患者DTH平均阳性率明显高于ⅢⅡ期患者DTH平均阳性率明显高于Ⅲ^Ⅳ期患者(P<0.05)。ⅠⅣ期患者(P<0.05)。Ⅰ^Ⅱ期患者2年随访期内病情均较稳定,生存率为100%;ⅢⅡ期患者2年随访期内病情均较稳定,生存率为100%;Ⅲ^IV期患者平均TTP为689d和667d,而对照组分别为614d和573d,分别延长了75d和94d,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组IIIIV期患者平均TTP为689d和667d,而对照组分别为614d和573d,分别延长了75d和94d,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组III^IV期患者平均PFS为75.9%,而同期对照组仅为54.6%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。DTH阳性患者(70例)平均PFS为78.6%,而DTH阴性患者(94例)平均PFSR为67.0%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论负载HER-2多肽的自体DC可有效诱导早、中期HER-2阳性乳腺癌患者产生TH1型免疫应答反应,分泌可持续高水平的Th1型抗瘤因子,多疗程后可激发明显的肿瘤抗原特异性CTL反应,并可抑制晚期患者疾病进展,提高无进展生存率与生存质量,可作为HER-2阳性患者安全、有效的辅助治疗手段。     

大肠癌患者细胞因子的变化及其临床意义

目的观察不同治疗阶段大肠癌患者T淋巴细胞亚群CD4^＋细胞中,Th1／Th2类因子水平的变化,为大肠癌的生物治疗提供依据。方法分离外周血淋巴细胞,经刺激增加细胞内因子表达,荧光标记特异性抗细胞因子单克隆抗体,特异性抗原抗体结合,用流式细胞术分析、测定特异性细胞因子表达水平。结果大肠癌患者在不同的治疗阶段,Th1类因子的变化较明显,差异均有统计学意义;Th2类因子变化无显著性。IFN-γ／IL-4的比值变化只在生物治疗前后差异有统计学意义。结论大肠癌患者在不同治疗阶段,Th1类因子水平的变化对生物治疗具有明显的指导意义;Th2类因子水平无指导意义。其中IFN-γ／IL-4比值的变化在生物治疗中具有较好的指导性,合理的生物治疗可逆转Th1／Th2因子的抗肿瘤抑制作用。     

Hepatitis C Virus Associations with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Insights on Inflammation/Angiogenesis and CD Markers

We aimed to investigate any association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) in the view of cytokines that control inflammation/angiogenesis and their correlation with certain CD markers. NHL patients with or without HCV infection were studied. CD5, CD30, CD3, CD20 and CD45 were immunohistochemically evaluated. Plasma levels of vascular endothelial and platelet derived growth factors (VEGF, and PDGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), transforming growth factor (TGF-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-4, IL-12 and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HCV+ve NHL patients showed a significant reduction in VEGF, PDGF, IFN-γ, CD5 and CD45 and a significant increase in IL-12 and IL-8. In conclusion, there was a significant change in cytokine secretion and expression of CD markers in HCV+ve NHL patients. Based on our results, HCV infection in NHL patients requires more in-depth investigations to explore any role in lymphoma progression.     

CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞对晚期肺癌患者免疫抑制作用的研究

目的 探讨Treg及Th1/Th2类细胞因子在晚期肺癌肿瘤免疫抑制中的作用.方法 选取100例初治晚期肺癌患者及50例健康自愿者.采用流式细胞术检测其外周血中Treg、Th1类细胞因子(IFN-γ、IL-2、TNF-a)、Th2类细胞因子(IL-4、IL-6、IL-10)水平,同时分析CD4+CD25+Treg与Th1/Th2类细胞因子之间的相关性.结果 ①晚期肺癌患者外周血中Treg为(11.12±5.83)%,高于健康对照组(7.46±3.07)%,差异有统计学意义(P=0.003);②化疗前肺癌患者外周血中Treg为(11.12±5.83)%,明显高于化疗后(6.45±3.74)%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);③晚期肺癌患者与正常对照组Th1/Th2类细胞因子水平分别为:IFN-γ(8.56±3.62 vs 10.79±3.27,P=0.049)、IL-2(8.48±2.87 vs 10.22±4.03,P=0.03)、TNF-a(6.18±2.67vs8.14±2.87,P=0.007)、IFN-γ/IL-4(3.33±1.44 vs 4.09±1.00,P=0.028)、IL-4(3.17±1.19 vs 2.45±0.43,P<0.001)、IL-6(3.88±2.08 vs 2.33±0.88,P<0.001)、IL-10(3.64±1.73 vs 2.54±1.08,P=0.008),其中Th2类因子水平明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05);④CD4+CD25+Treg与Th1类细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-a、IL-2及IL-6无相关性(P均>0.05);与Th1/Th2(γ=-0.273,P=0.003)呈负相关;与Th2类细胞因子IL-4(γ=0.237,P=0.009)、IL-10(0.626,P<0.001)呈正相关(P均<0.05).结论 晚期肺癌患者CD4+CD25+Treg、Th2类细胞因子水平显著升高,Th1类细胞因子水平下降,它们共同导致肿瘤患者免疫抑制及肿瘤进展,监测其水平变化有助于判断肺癌患者疗效、预后,有效调控CD4+CD25+Treg及负性细胞因子水平可能是治疗肺癌的一个新策略.     

Increased prevalence of autoimmune phenomena in myelofibrosis: Relationship with clinical and morphological characteristics,and with immunoregulatory cytokine patterns

Autoimmune phenomena and cytokines were investigated in 100 patients with myelofibrosis (MF) and related to marrow fibrosis and clinical risk. Anti-erythrocyte antibodies by mitogen-stimulated direct antiglobulin test (MS-DAT) were positive in 45%, anti-platelets in 15% and organ/non organ-specific in 57% of cases, without clinically overt disease, and mostly in low-risk/intermediate-risk-1 and MF-0/MF-1. TGF-β and IL-8 were increased in MS-DAT positive cases, and IFN-γ in patients with serological autoantibodies. TGF-β and IL-17 were elevated in early clinical and morphological stages, while IL-8 increased in advanced stages. These data suggest that autoimmune phenomena and cytokine disregulation are particularly relevant in early MF.     

Quantitative and functional alterations of plasmacytoid dendritic cells contribute to immune tolerance in ovarian cancer

In ovarian cancer, the immune system fails to eradicate established tumors partly due to the induction of immune tolerance within tumor microenvironment. In this study, we investigated the contribution of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) in the establishment of immune tolerance in a cohort of 44 ovarian cancer patients. In the tumor and malignant ascites, CD4(+)CD123(+)BDCA2(+) pDC were the most abundant dendritic cell subset; however, they were profoundly depleted in peripheral blood. The presence of pDC in primary ovarian cancer, but not ascites, was an independent prognostic factor associated with early relapse. Following chemotherapy, we observed a partial restoration of blood pDC levels in patients in complete remission. These findings show preferential recruitment of pDC into tumors where they express a partially mature phenotype that may reflect an in situ activation. Importantly, compared with pDC found in ascites or blood, tumor-associated pDC (TApDC) produced less IFN-α, TNF-α, IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, and RANTES in response to toll-like receptor stimulation, and alterations in pDC functions were mainly mediated through tumor-derived TNF-α and TGF-β. Unlike ascites-derived pDC, TApDC induced IL-10 production from allogeneic naive CD4(+) T lymphocytes, suggesting the existence of a paracrine immunosuppressive loop. Taken together, our findings indicate that both local and systemic dysfunction of pDC play a critical role in the progression of ovarian cancer via induction of immune tolerance.     

上皮性卵巢癌患者腹水白介素-10水平与其腹腔免疫功能缺陷关系的探讨

白介素-10(Interleukin-10,IL-10)属于Th2型细胞因子,在免疫反应的多个环节起重要作用,作为一种免疫抑制性细胞因子,IL-10参与了多种肿瘤的发生和发展。本研究探讨上皮性卵巢癌患者腹水中细胞因子IL-10水平与其腹腔免疫功能缺陷的关系。