scholarly journals In vivo photolabeling of tumor-infiltrating cells reveals highly regulated egress of T-cell subsets from tumors

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 5677-5682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Torcellan ◽  
Henry R. Hampton ◽  
Jacqueline Bailey ◽  
Michio Tomura ◽  
Robert Brink ◽  
...  

Immune therapy is rapidly gaining prominence in the clinic as a major weapon against cancer. Whereas much attention has been focused on the infiltration of tumors by immune cells, the subsequent fate of these infiltrates remains largely unexplored. We therefore established a photoconversion-based model that allowed us to label tumor-infiltrating immune cells and follow their migration. Using this system, we identified a population of tumor-experienced cells that emigrate from primary tumors to draining lymph nodes via afferent lymphatic vessels. Although the majority of tumor-infiltrating cells were myeloid, T cells made up the largest population of tumor-egressing leukocytes. Strikingly, the subset composition of tumor-egressing T cells was greatly skewed compared with those that had infiltrated the tumor and those resident in the draining lymph node. Some T-cell subsets such as CD8+ T cells emigrated more readily; others including CD4−CD8− T cells were preferentially retained, suggesting that specific mechanisms guide immune cell egress from tumors. Furthermore, tumor-egressing T cells were more activated and displayed enhanced effector function in comparison with their lymph node counterparts. Finally, we demonstrated that tumor-infiltrating T cells migrate to distant secondary tumors and draining lymph nodes, highlighting a mechanism whereby tumor-experienced effector T cells may mediate antitumor immunity at metastatic sites. Thus, our results provide insights into migration and function of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the role of these cells in tumor immunity outside of primary tumor deposits.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmin Vahidi ◽  
Mandana Bagheri ◽  
Abbas Ghaderi ◽  
Zahra Faghih

Abstract Background: Human immunological memory is a hallmark of the adaptive immune system and plays an important role in the development of effective immune responses against tumors. In the present study, we aimed to determine the frequencies of CD8+ memory T cell subsets including stem memory T cells (TSCM) in tumor-draining lymph nodes of patients with breast cancer (BC). Methods: Mononuclear cells were obtained from axillary lymph nodes of 52 untreated patients with BC and stained for CD8, CCR7, CD45RO, CD95 markers to detect different subtypes of memory cells in the CD8+ lymphocyte population. Data were acquired on four-color flow cytometer and analyzed with CellQuest Pro software. Results: We observed that 47.65±2.66% of CD8+ lymphocytes expressed the CD45RO, a marker for memory T cells. Statistical analysis showed that the total frequency of central memory T cells (TCM) and their subset with low CD45RO expression was significantly higher in tumor-involved nodes compared to tumor-free ones (P=0.024 and P=0.017, respectively). The level of CD95 expression (based on mean fluorescence intensity) on the surface of TCM, their CD45ROhi and CD45ROlow subsets, and TSCM was higher in patients with stage II compared to those in stage I (P<0.05). In addition, the percentage of naive CD8+ T cells was significantly lower in tumor-involved lymph nodes compared to tumor-free ones (P=0.025). Conclusions: Our data collectively indicate no significant differences in the frequencies of CD8+ lymphocytes or their memory subsets in tumor-draining lymph nodes of patients with BC. However, the frequency of CD45low TCM was higher in tumor-involved nodes. Along with a decrease in the frequency of naive T cells, the higher frequency of CD45low TCM suggests that despite the immune reaction to provide a pool of effective memory cells, it is blocked in early-stage of memory cells’ differentiation (CD45ROlow), probably by tumor-derived suppressive factors. Identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind this suppression can provide invaluable tools for adoptive T cell therapies in cancer.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmin Vahidi ◽  
Mandana Bagheri ◽  
Abbas Ghaderi ◽  
Zahra Faghih

Abstract Background: Human immunological memory is a hallmark of the adaptive immune system and plays an important role in the development of effective immune responses against tumors. In the present study, we aimed to determine the frequencies of CD8 + memory T cell subsets including stem memory T cells (TSCM) in tumor-draining lymph nodes of patients with breast cancer (BC). Methods: Mononuclear cells were obtained from axillary lymph nodes of 52 untreated patients with BC and stained for CD8, CCR7, CD45RO, CD95 markers to detect different subtypes of memory cells in the CD8 + lymphocyte population. Data were acquired on four-color flow cytometer and analyzed with CellQuest Pro software. Results: We observed that 47.65±2.66% of CD8+ lymphocytes expressed the CD45RO, a marker for memory T cells. Statistical analysis showed that the total frequency of central memory T cells (TCM) and their subset with low CD45RO expression was significantly higher in tumor-involved nodes compared to tumor-free ones (P=0.024 and P=0.017, respectively). The level of CD95 expression (based on mean fluorescence intensity) on the surface of TCM, their CD45RO hi and CD45RO low subsets, and TSCM was higher in patients with stage II compared to those in stage I (P<0.05). In addition, the percentage of naive CD8 + T cells was significantly lower in tumor-involved lymph nodes compared to tumor-free ones (P=0.025). Conclusions: Our data collectively indicate no significant differences in the frequencies of CD8 + lymphocytes or their memory subsets in tumor-draining lymph nodes of patients with BC. However, the frequency of CD45 low TCM was higher in tumor-involved nodes. Along with a decrease in the frequency of naive T cells, the higher frequency of CD45 low TCM suggests that despite the immune reaction to provide a pool of effective memory cells, it is blocked in early-stage of memory cells’ differentiation (CD45RO low ), probably by tumor-derived suppressive factors. Identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind this suppression can provide invaluable tools for adoptive T cell therapies in cancer.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmin Vahidi ◽  
Mandana Bagheri ◽  
Abbas Ghaderi ◽  
Zahra Faghih

Abstract Background Human immunological memory is a hallmark of the adaptive immune system and plays an important role in the development of effective immune responses against tumors. In the present study, we aimed to determine the frequencies of CD8 + memory T cell subsets including stem memory T cells (TSCM) in tumor-draining lymph nodes of patients with breast cancer (BC).Methods Mononuclear cells were obtained from axillary lymph nodes of 52 untreated patients with BC and stained for CD8, CCR7, CD45RO, CD95 markers to detect different subtypes of memory cells in the CD8 + lymphocyte population. Data were acquired with four-color flow cytometry and analyzed with CellQuest Pro software.Results We observed that 47.65±2.66 of CD8+ lymphocytes expressed the CD45RO marker for memory T cells. Statistical analysis showed that the total frequency of central memory T cells (TCM) and their subset with low CD45RO expression was significantly higher in tumor-involved nodes compared to tumor-free ones (P=0.024 and P=0.017, respectively). Mean CD96 expression (based on mean fluorescence intensity) on the surface of TCM, their CD45RO hi TCM and CD45RO low subsets, and TSCM was higher in patients with stage II compared to those with stage I disease (P<0.05). The percentage of naive CD8 + T cells was significantly higher in tumor-involved lymph nodes compared to tumor-free ones (P=0.025).Conclusions Our data collectively indicate no significant differences in the frequencies of CD8 + lymphocytes or their memory T cell subsets in tumor-draining lymph nodes of patients with BC. However, the frequency of CD45 low TCM along with naive CD8 + lymphocytes was higher in tumor-involved nodes, which suggests that after long-term exposure to the antigen, and despite the immune reaction in order to provide a pool of effective memory cells, memory cell differentiation is blocked in early-stage (CD45RO low ) due to tumor-derived suppressive factors. Identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind this suppression can provide invaluable tools for adoptive T cell therapies in cancer.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2756
Author(s):  
Adrian M. Seifert ◽  
Annabel Eymer ◽  
Max Heiduk ◽  
Rebekka Wehner ◽  
Antje Tunger ◽  
...  

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a mostly immunosuppressive microenvironment. Tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) are a major site for priming of tumor-reactive T cells and also tumor metastasis. However, the phenotype and function of T cells in TDLNs from PDAC patients is unknown. In this study, lymph nodes from the pancreatic head (PH), the hepatoduodenal ligament (HDL) and the interaortocaval (IAC) region were obtained from 25 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Additionally, tumors and matched blood were analyzed from 16 PDAC patients. Using multicolor flow cytometry, we performed a comprehensive analysis of T cells. CD4+ T cells were the predominant T cell subset in PDAC-draining lymph nodes. Overall, lymph node CD4+ and CD8+ T cells had a similar degree of activation, as measured by CD69, inducible T cell co-stimulator (ICOS) and CD137 (4-1BB) expression and interferon-γ (IFNγ) secretion. Expression of the inhibitory receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1) by lymph node and tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) correlated with lymph node metastasis. Collectively, Treg cells and PD-1 are two relevant components of the immunosuppressive network in PDAC-draining lymph nodes and may be particularly attractive targets for combinatorial immunotherapeutic strategies in selected patients with node-positive PDAC.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 00110-2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rieneke van de Ven ◽  
Anna-Larissa N. Niemeijer ◽  
Anita G.M. Stam ◽  
Sayed M.S. Hashemi ◽  
Christian G. Slockers ◽  
...  

The treatment of advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors has improved clinical outcome for a proportion of patients. The current challenge is to find better biomarkers than PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) that will identify patients likely to benefit from this therapy. In this exploratory study we assessed the differences in T-cell subsets and PD-1 expression levels on T-cells in tumour-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).To evaluate this, flow cytometric analyses were performed on endobronchial ultrasound-guided (EBUS) fine-needle aspirates (FNA) from TDLNs of patients with NSCLC, and the results were compared to paired PBMC samples. For a select number of patients, we were also able to obtain cells from a non-TDLN (NTDLN) sample.Our data show that the frequency of PD-1+ CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, as well as the PD-1 expression level on activated regulatory T (aTreg) and CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, are higher in TDLNs than in PBMCs and, in a small sub-analysis, NTDLNs.These elevated PD-1 expression levels in TDLNs may reflect tumour-specific T-cell priming and conditioning, and may serve as a predictive or early-response biomarker during PD-1 checkpoint blockade.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmin Vahidi ◽  
Mandana Bagheri ◽  
Abbas Ghaderi ◽  
Zahra Faghih

Abstract Background: Human immunological memory is a hallmark of the adaptive immune system and plays an important role in the development of effective immune responses against tumors. In the present study, we aimed to determine the frequencies of CD8+ memory T cell subsets including stem memory T cells (TSCM) in tumor-draining lymph nodes of patients with breast cancer (BC). Methods: Mononuclear cells were obtained from axillary lymph nodes of 52 untreated patients with BC and stained for CD8, CCR7, CD45RO, CD95 markers to detect different subtypes of memory cells in the CD8+ lymphocyte population. Data were acquired on four-color flow cytometry and analyzed with CellQuest Pro software. Results: We observed that 47.65±2.66 of CD8+ lymphocytes expressed the CD45RO, a marker for memory T cells. Statistical analysis showed that the total frequency of central memory T cells (TCM) and their subset with low CD45RO expression was significantly higher in tumor-involved nodes compared to tumor-free ones (P=0.024 and P=0.017, respectively). The level of CD95 expression (based on mean fluorescence intensity) on the surface of TCM, their CD45ROhi and CD45ROlow subsets, and TSCM was higher in patients with stage II compared to those in stage I (P<0.05). In addition, the percentage of naive CD8+ T cells was significantly higher in tumor-involved lymph nodes compared to tumor-free ones (P=0.025). Conclusions: Our data collectively indicate no significant differences in the frequencies of CD8+ lymphocytes or their memory subsets in tumor-draining lymph nodes of patients with BC. However, the frequencies of CD45low TCM along with naive CD8+ lymphocytes were higher in tumor-involved nodes, which suggests that after long-term exposure to the antigen, and despite the immune reaction in order to provide a pool of effective memory cells, memory cell differentiation is blocked in early-stage (CD45ROlow) due to tumor-derived suppressive factors. Identifying the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind this suppression can provide invaluable tools for adoptive T cell therapies in cancer.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Pangrazzi ◽  
Erin Naismith ◽  
Carina Miggitsch ◽  
Jose’ Antonio Carmona Arana ◽  
Michael Keller ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Obesity has been associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Both conditions play a determinant role in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases, such as immunosenescence. Adipose tissue can modulate the function of the immune system with the secretion of molecules influencing the phenotype of immune cells. The importance of the bone marrow (BM) in the maintenance of antigen-experienced adaptive immune cells has been documented in mice. Recently, some groups have investigated the survival of effector/memory T cells in the human BM. Despite this, whether high body mass index (BMI) may affect immune cells in the BM and the production of molecules supporting the maintenance of these cells it is unknown.Methods. Using flow cytometry, the frequency and the phenotype of immune cell populations were measured in paired BM and PB samples obtained from persons with different BMI. Furthermore, the expression of BM cytokines was assessed. The influence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) on T cell subsets was additionally considered, dividing the donors into the CMV- and CMV+ groups.Results. Our study suggests that increased BMI may affect both the maintenance and the phenotype of adaptive immune cells in the BM. While the BM levels of IL-15 and IL-6, supporting the survival of highly differentiated T cells, and oxygen radicals increased in overweight persons, the production of IFNγ and TNF by CD8+ T cells was reduced. In addition, the frequency of B cells and CD4+ T cells positively correlated with BMI in the BM of CMV- persons. Finally, the frequency of several T cell subsets, and the expression of senescence/exhaustion markers within these subpopulations, were affected by BMI. In particular, the levels of bona fide memory T cells may be reduced in overweight persons.Conclusion. Our work suggests that, in addition to aging and CMV, obesity may represent an additional risk factor for immunosenescence in adaptive immune cells. Metabolic interventions may help in improving the fitness of the immune system in the elderly.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Zhang ◽  
Hallie Graor ◽  
Lu Yan ◽  
Julian Kim

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (593) ◽  
pp. eabb7495
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Yasuda ◽  
Shintaro Iwama ◽  
Daisuke Sugiyama ◽  
Takayuki Okuji ◽  
Tomoko Kobayashi ◽  
...  

Immune-related adverse events induced by anti–programmed cell death–1 antibodies (PD-1-Ab), including destructive thyroiditis (thyroid-irAE), are thought to be caused by activated T cells. However, the T cell subsets that are directly responsible for damaging self-organs remain unclear. To clarify which T cell subsets are involved in the development of thyroid-irAE, a mouse model of thyroid-irAE was analyzed. PD-1-Ab administration 2.5 months after immunization with thyroglobulin caused destructive thyroiditis. Thyroiditis was completely prevented by previous depletion of CD4+ T cells and partially prevented by depleting CD8+ T cells. The frequencies of central and effector memory CD4+ T cell subsets and the secretion of interferon-γ after stimulation with thyroglobulin were increased in the cervical lymph nodes of mice with thyroid-irAE compared with controls. Histopathological analysis revealed infiltration of CD4+ T cells expressing granzyme B in thyroid glands and major histocompatibility complex class II expression on thyrocytes in mice with thyroid-irAE. Adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells from cervical lymph nodes in mice with thyroid-irAE caused destruction of thyroid follicular architecture in the irradiated recipient mice. Flow cytometric analyses showed that the frequencies of central and effector memory CD4+ T cells expressing the cytotoxic marker CD27 were higher in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from patients with thyroid-irAE induced by PD-1-Ab versus those without. These data suggest a critical role for cytotoxic memory CD4+ T cells activated by PD-1-Ab in the pathogenesis of thyroid-irAE.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Pangrazzi ◽  
Erin Naismith ◽  
Carina Miggitsch ◽  
Jose’ Antonio Carmona Arana ◽  
Michael Keller ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Obesity has been associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Both conditions play a determinant role in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases, such as immunosenescence. Adipose tissue can modulate the function of the immune system with the secretion of molecules influencing the phenotype of immune cells. Recently, the importance of the bone marrow (BM) in the maintenance of antigen-experienced adaptive immune cells has been documented. Despite this, whether high body mass index (BMI) may affect immune cells in the BM and the production of molecules supporting the maintenance of these cells it is unknown. Methods. Using flow cytometry, the frequency and the phenotype of immune cell populations were measured in paired BM and PB samples obtained from persons with different BMI. Furthermore, the expression of BM cytokines was assessed. The influence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) on T cell subsets was additionally considered, dividing the donors into the CMV - and CMV + groups. Results. Our study suggests that increased BMI may affect both the maintenance and the phenotype of adaptive immune cells in the BM. While the BM levels of IL-15 and IL-6, supporting the survival of highly differentiated T cells, and oxygen radicals increased in overweight persons, the production of IFNγ and TNF by CD8 + T cells was reduced. In addition, the frequency of B cells and CD4 + T cells positively correlated with BMI in the BM of CMV - persons. Finally, the frequency of several T cell subsets, and the expression of senescence/exhaustion markers within these subpopulations, were affected by BMI. In particular, the levels of bona fide memory T cells may be reduced in overweight persons. Conclusion. Our work suggests that obesity may represent an independent risk factor supporting immunosenescence, in addition to aging and CMV. Metabolic interventions may help in improving the fitness of the immune system in the elderly.


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