The role of monocytes/macrophages in TCR-zeta chain downregulation and apoptosis of T lymphocytes in malignant pleural effusions.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess alterations of zeta chain expression and their relation to apoptosis of T lymphocytes. T lymphocytes were obtained from malignant pleural effusions (MPE) of 15 patients. The work focused on TCR-zeta chain expression, apoptosis of T lymphocytes, and on the content of monocyte/macrophages in effusions. Analysis was performed using three color flow cytometry combining CD3, TCR-zeta and TUNEL reaction. The content of tumor and monocyte/macrophage cells has been determined using CD3, CD14, and cytokeratins, as markers of distinct cell subpopulations. Our findings strongly indicate that decreased zeta chain expression in T cells depends on the content of monocyte/macrophage cells, and that the range of the decrease is inversely proportional to the number of monocytes/macrophages in the effusion. Those having low zeta chain expression were the main subpopulation of T cells undergoing apoptosis. These data suggest that decreased zeta chain expression in T cells in MPE may be related to the abundance of monocyte/macrophages in effusions.

• Authors: J Sikora, G Dworacki, R Giersz, J Zeromski
• Journal: Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents (J Biol Regul Homeost Agents) 2004 Jan-Mar Vol. 18 Issue 1 Pg. 26-32 ISSN: 0393-974X [Print] Italy
• PMID: 15323357 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• CD3 Complex
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
• Membrane Proteins
• Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
• antigen T cell receptor, zeta chain

Topics

• Apoptosis
• CD3 Complex (biosynthesis)
• Down-Regulation
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• In Situ Nick-End Labeling
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors (biosynthesis)
• Macrophages (metabolism)
• Membrane Proteins (biosynthesis)
• Monocytes (metabolism)
• Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Pleural Effusion (metabolism)
• Pleural Effusion, Malignant (metabolism)
• Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell (biosynthesis)
• T-Lymphocytes (metabolism)