CD39/ENTPD1 expression by CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells promotes hepatic metastatic tumor growth in mice.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS:

Adenosine mediates immune suppression and is generated by the ectonucleotidases CD39 (ENTPD1) and CD73 that are expressed on vascular endothelial cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Although tumor-infiltrating immune cells include Foxp3(+) Tregs, it is not clear whether local adenosine generation by Tregs promotes tumor growth in a CD39-dependent manner. In this study, we have examined the effect of CD39 expression by Tregs on effector immune cell responses to hepatic metastases in vivo.

METHODS:

A model of hepatic metastatic cancer was developed with portal vein infusion of luciferase-expressing melanoma B16/F10 cells and MCA38 colon cancer cells in wild-type (wt) and mutant mice null for Cd39. Chimeric mice were generated by bone marrow transplantation (BMT) using Cd39 null or wt C57BL6 donors and irradiated recipient mice.

RESULTS:

We demonstrate that hepatic growth of melanoma metastatic tumors was strongly inhibited in mice with Cd39 null vasculature or in wt mice with circulating Cd39 null bone marrow-derived cells. We show functional CD39 expression on CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs suppressed antitumor immunity mediated by natural killer (NK) cells in vitro and in vivo. Finally, inhibition of CD39 activity by polyoxometalate-1, a pharmacologic inhibitor of nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase activity, significantly inhibited tumor growth (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

CD39 expression on Tregs inhibits NK activity and is permissive for metastatic growth. Pharmacologic or targeted inhibition of CD39 enzymatic activity may find utility as an adjunct therapy for secondary hepatic malignancies.

• Authors: Xiaofeng Sun, Yan Wu, Wenda Gao, Keiichi Enjyoji, Eva Csizmadia, Christa E Müller, Takashi Murakami, Simon C Robson
• Journal: Gastroenterology (Gastroenterology) Vol. 139 Issue 3 Pg. 1030-40 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1528-0012 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20546740 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Forkhead Transcription Factors
• Foxp3 protein, mouse
• Tungsten Compounds
• polyoxometalate I
• Apyrase
• CD39 antigen

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens, CD (genetics, metabolism)
• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology)
• Apyrase (antagonists & inhibitors, deficiency, genetics, metabolism)
• Bone Marrow Transplantation
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Colonic Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics, immunology, secondary)
• Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Forkhead Transcription Factors (genetics, metabolism)
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology)
• Liver Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics, immunology, secondary)
• Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating (drug effects, immunology)
• Male
• Melanoma, Experimental (drug therapy, genetics, immunology, secondary)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Mice, Knockout
• Radiation Chimera
• T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory (drug effects, immunology)
• Time Factors
• Tumor Burden
• Tumor Escape
• Tungsten Compounds (pharmacology)