Human squamous cell carcinomas evade the immune response by down-regulation of vascular E-selectin and recruitment of regulatory T cells

J Exp Med. 2008 Sep 29;205(10):2221-34. doi: 10.1084/jem.20071190. Epub 2008 Sep 15.

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the skin are sun-induced skin cancers that are particularly numerous in patients on T cell immunosuppression. We found that blood vessels in SCCs did not express E-selectin, and tumors contained few cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA)(+) T cells, the cell type thought to provide cutaneous immunosurveillance. Tumors treated with the Toll-like receptor (TLR)7 agonist imiquimod before excision showed induction of E-selectin on tumor vessels, recruitment of CLA(+) CD8(+) T cells, and histological evidence of tumor regression. SCCs treated in vitro with imiquimod also expressed vascular E-selectin. Approximately 50% of the T cells infiltrating untreated SCCs were FOXP3(+) regulatory T (T reg) cells. Imiquimod-treated tumors contained a decreased percentage of T reg cells, and these cells produced less FOXP3, interleukin (IL)-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. Treatment of T reg cells in vitro with imiquimod inhibited their suppressive activity and reduced FOXP3, CD39, CD73, IL-10, and TGF-beta by indirect mechanisms. In vivo and in vitro treatment with imiquimod also induced IL-6 production by effector T cells. In summary, we find that SCCs evade the immune response at least in part by down-regulating vascular E-selectin and recruiting T reg cells. TLR7 agonists neutralized both of these strategies, supporting their use in SCCs and other tumors with similar immune defects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminoquinolines / therapeutic use
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Movement
  • Down-Regulation
  • E-Selectin / genetics
  • E-Selectin / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Imiquimod
  • Immune System / physiology
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Skin / cytology
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin / pathology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
  • Tumor Escape / immunology*

Substances

  • Aminoquinolines
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • E-Selectin
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Interleukin-6
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interleukin-10
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Imiquimod