Immune response in cervical lymph nodes from patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Deficient immune response in the cervical lymph nodes of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma may contribute to dissemination of metastatic neoplastic cells. This study evaluates the immune response in cervical lymph nodes from patients with primary oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC).

METHODS:

The density of immature (CD1a(+)) and mature (CD83(+)) dendritic cells (DCs), cytotoxic T lymphocytes CD8(+) /perforin(+) (CTLs), and Foxp3(+) regulatory T (Tregs) cells in the lymph nodes of patients with OCSCC without cervical lymph node metastases (LN1) (negative) (n = 10) were identified through immunohistochemistry. From patients with cervical lymph node metastases, samples were obtained of lymph nodes both with (LM2) (positive) (n = 10) and without (LN2) (negative) (n = 10) metastases.

RESULTS:

The results demonstrated that the number of CD1a(+) and Foxp3(+) cells was significantly higher in the LM2 group than in either the LN1 or the LN2 group. In addition, the number of CD8(+) /perforin(+) and CD83(+) cells was significantly lower in the LM2 group than in the other groups.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study demonstrate a higher density of immature DCs and Tregs cells and a lower density of mature DCs and activated CTLs in metastatic than in non-metastatic lymph nodes. These findings might indicate an immunosuppressive microenvironment, which could be involved in the spread of neoplastic cells to cervical lymph nodes.

• Authors: Andréia Souza Gonçalves, Nádia Lago Costa, Diego Antônio Costa Arantes, Rita de Cássia Gonçalves Alencar, Tarcília Aparecida Silva, Aline Carvalho Batista
• Journal: Journal of oral pathology & medicine : official publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology (J Oral Pathol Med) Vol. 42 Issue 7 Pg. 535-40 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1600-0714 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 23278174 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• Antigens, CD1
• CD1a antigen
• CD8 Antigens
• CD83 antigen
• FOXP3 protein, human
• Forkhead Transcription Factors
• Immunoglobulins
• Membrane Glycoproteins
• PRF1 protein, human
• Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins
• Perforin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antigens, CD (analysis)
• Antigens, CD1 (analysis)
• CD8 Antigens (analysis)
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (immunology, pathology)
• Cell Count
• Dendritic Cells (immunology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Forkhead Transcription Factors (analysis)
• Humans
• Immune Tolerance (immunology)
• Immunoglobulins (analysis)
• Lymph Nodes (immunology)
• Lymphatic Metastasis (immunology, pathology)
• Lymphocyte Activation (immunology)
• Male
• Membrane Glycoproteins (analysis)
• Middle Aged
• Mouth Neoplasms (immunology, pathology)
• Neck
• Perforin
• Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins (analysis)
• Retrospective Studies
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory (immunology)
• Tumor Microenvironment (immunology)
• Young Adult