1.
Immunologic cellular characteristics of the tumour microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma drive patient outcomes.
Atanasov, G, Dino, K, Schierle, K, Dietel, C, Aust, G, Pratschke, J, Seehofer, D, Schmelzle, M, Hau, HM
World journal of surgical oncology. 2019;(1):97
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-tumour immune competence has an impact in hepatocarcinogenesis and success of anti-cancer therapies. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and monocytes/macrophages (TAMs) are proposed to have significance in cancer. However, there is only limited data concerning their impact on patient outcome and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Frequencies of CD68+, CD163+ M2-polarized TAMs and TILs were measured in de novo HCC tumours in non-cirrhosis (n = 58) using immunohistology and correlated to patients' clinicopathological characteristics and survival rates. RESULTS Patients with tumours marked by appearance of TILs and CD68+ TAMs showed an improved 1-, 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival (all p ≤ 0.05). CD68+ TAMs were associated with reduced incidence of recurrent and multifocal disease. Conversely, CD163+ TAMs were associated with multifocal HCC and lymphangiosis carcinomatosa (all p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS TILs and CD68+ TAMs are associated with multiple tumour characteristics and patient survival in HCC. However, there is only scarce data about the biology underlying their mechanistic involvement in human tumour progression. Thus, experimental data on functional links might help develop novel immunologic checkpoint inhibitor targets for liver cancer.
2.
Emerging Role of IL-4-Induced Gene 1 as a Prognostic Biomarker Affecting the Local T-Cell Response in Human Cutaneous Melanoma.
Ramspott, JP, Bekkat, F, Bod, L, Favier, M, Terris, B, Salomon, A, Djerroudi, L, Zaenker, KS, Richard, Y, Molinier-Frenkel, V, et al
The Journal of investigative dermatology. 2018;(12):2625-2634
Abstract
Several studies have emphasized the importance of immune composition of the melanoma microenvironment for clinical outcome. The contribution of IL4I1, a phenylalanine oxidase with immunoregulatory functions, has not been yet explored. Here we studied a primary cutaneous melanoma series from stage I-III patients to investigate the association between in situ IL4I1 expression and clinical parameters or tumor-infiltrating T-cell subsets. IL4I1 was detected in 87% of tumors and was mainly expressed by tumor-associated macrophages and very rare FoxP3+ regulatory T cells. The proportion of IL4I1+ cells was higher in patients with an ulcerated melanoma or with a positive sentinel lymph node and tended to correlate with a rapid relapse and shorter overall survival. This proportion also correlated positively with the presence of regulatory T cells and negatively with the presence of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. The location of IL4I1+ cells may also be relevant to predict prognosis, because their presence near tumor cells was associated with sentinel lymph node invasion and higher melanoma stage. Collectively, our data show that IL4I1+ cells shape the T-cell compartment and are associated with a higher risk of poor outcome in melanoma, supporting a key role for IL4I1 in immune evasion.
3.
Transfusion-related immunomodulation: a reappraisal.
Youssef, LA, Spitalnik, SL
Current opinion in hematology. 2017;(6):551-557
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes current and prior observations regarding transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM) and puts these ideas into a modern immunological context, incorporating concepts from innate, adaptive, and nutritional immunity. We propose that TRIM research focus on determining whether there are specific, well-defined immunosuppressive effects from transfusing 'pure' red blood cells (RBCs) themselves, along with the by-products produced by the stored RBCs as a result of the 'storage lesion.' Macrophages are a key cell type involved in physiological and pathological RBC clearance and iron recycling. The plasticity and diversity of macrophages makes these cells potential mediators of immune suppression that could constitute TRIM. RECENT FINDINGS Recent reports identified the capacity of macrophages and monocytes to exhibit 'memory.' Exposure to various stimuli, such as engulfment of apoptotic cells and interactions with ß-glucan and lipopolysaccharide, were found to induce epigenetic, metabolic, and functional changes in certain myeloid cells, particularly macrophages and monocytes. SUMMARY Macrophages may mediate the immunosuppressive aspects of TRIM that arise as a result of transfused RBCs and their storage lesion induced by-products.