Galectin-1 is implicated in making
tumor cells immune privileged, in part by regulating the survival of infiltrating T cells.
Galectin-1 is strongly expressed in activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs); however, whether this is linked to
tumor cell immune escape in
pancreatic cancer is unknown.
Galectin-1 was knocked down in PSCs isolated from pancreatic tissues using
small interfering RNA (
siRNA), or overexpressed using recombinant lentiviruses, and the PSCs were cocultured with T cells. CD3(+) , CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry; T cell
IL-2,
IL-4,
IL-5 and INF-γ production levels were quantified using ELISA. Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased numbers of PSCs expressed
Galectin-1 (p < 0.01) and
pancreatic cancers had increased CD3(+) T cell densities (p < 0.01) compared to normal pancreas or
chronic pancreatitis samples. In coculture experiments, PSCs that overexpressed
Galectin-1 induced apoptosis of CD4(+) T cells (p < 0.01) and CD8(+) T cells (p < 0.05) significantly, compared to normal PSCs. Knockdown of
Galectin-1 in PSCs increased CD4(+) T cell (p < 0.01) and CD8(+) T cell viability (p < 0.05). Supernatants from T cells cocultured with PSCs that overexpressed
Galectin-1 contained significantly increased levels of Th2
cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5, p < 0.01) and decreased Th1
cytokines (IL-2 and INF-γ, p < 0.01). However, the knockdown of PSC
Galectin-1 had the opposite effect on Th1 and Th2
cytokine secretion. Our study suggests that the overexpression of
Galectin-1 in PSCs induced T cell apoptosis and Th2
cytokine secretion, which may regulate PSC-dependent immunoprivilege in the
pancreatic cancer microenvironment.
Galectin-1 may provide a novel candidate target for
pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.