Localization of T cell receptor (TCR)- γδ+ T cells into human colorectal cancer: flow cytometric analysis of TCR-γδ expression in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes

Abstract

SUMMARY We analysed TCR‐γδ expression in tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) obtained from 13 patients with colorectal cancer and simultaneously isolated the T lymphocytes from normal intestinal tissue (IL) to compare the frequencies of TCR‐γδ expression in TIL, IL. and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in the same patient. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of TCR‐γδ expression in TIL (275 ± 1·84%) was significantly lower than that in IL (15·28 ± 9·45%, P < 001). However, a larger quantity of TIL was separated than IL per unit weight of specimen, so the total number of γδ T cells obtained per unit weight was not different between tumour tissue and normal intestine. In addition, phenotypic analysis revealed that about half of the TCR‐γδ TIL were CD8+ (CD4+, 3·0 ± 3·1%; CD8+, 54·7 ± 19·9%, mean ± s.d. of five patients), and a very similar result was obtained in TCR‐γδ+ IL (CD4+ 2·7 ± 2·4%; CD8+, 53·1 ± 17·4%). In contrast, most TCR‐γδ+ PBL were double‐negative (CD4+. 3·2 ± 3·0%; CD8+ 20·6 ±7·4%). These results indicated that TCR‐γδ+ CD8+ T cells selectively and consistently localized in colorectal tumour tissue, similarly to normal intestinal epithelium.

Attenuated mutant strain of Salmonella Typhimurium lacking the ZnuABC transporter contrasts tumor growth promoting anti-cancer immune response

“…Besides that, we also found an increased numbers of CD3 + γδ + T cells in spleens from tumor-bearing mice receiving the STM (Figure 5F ). This finding is important because it is known that γδ T cells exhibit potent MHC-unrestricted lytic activity against different tumor cells in vitro and have been also consistently identified and isolated from tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in various types of cancer [ 35 , 36 ]. Most of current immunotherapeutic approaches aim at inducing antitumor response stimulating the adaptive immune system, which is bound on MHC-restricted αβ T cells.…”

Tumor immunoediting and immunosculpting pathways to cancer progression

“…While the loss of MHC class I expression in human tumors is not definitive evidence of immunoediting, this widely observed defect remains some of the best to date. Loss of MHC class I in human tumors is frequently observed in several cancers including B cell lymphomas, colorectal, ovarian, breast, melanoma, lung and renal cancers [95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113]. Ongoing studies continue to define the molecular mechanisms of downregulation of MHC molecules.…”

Efficient Killing of Human Colon Cancer Stem Cells by γδ T Lymphocytes

“…␥␦ T cells exhibit potent MHC-unrestricted lytic activity against different tumor cells in vitro, suggesting their potential utility as anticancer therapy. Moreover, ␥␦ T cells have been consistently identified and isolated from tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in various types of cancer, including prostate carcinoma (16,17).…”