Subpopulations of natural killer-T-like cells before and after surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer

Abstract

IntroductionTumours connected with head and neck comprise about 5% of all tumours. The most frequent histological type of laryngeal carcinoma is squamous cell carcinoma. Different research projects suggest that the role of T lymphocytes might be significant in tumour development. iNKT cells are a new subpopulation of T cells and show cytotoxic activity against tumours. iNKT cells participate in modulating the function of other cells which have anti-tumour properties and secrete cytokines, which have pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects. In animal models the significance of iNKT cells in various diseases including cancer was shown.Aim of the studyThe aim of this study was to determine the percentages of iNKT cells, CD161+ cells, CD161– cells, iNKT CD4+ cells, and iNKT CD8+ cells, NK cells, NKT-like cells, and T cells subsets present in peripheral blood of patients with laryngeal cancer before and two months after the tumour resection, in comparison to healthy volunteers.Materials and methodsThis study included material from laryngeal patients who were treated at the Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology (Medical University of Lublin) between 2012 and 2013. A total of 50 patients (40 men and 10 women) aged between 45 and 77 years (median age: 60 years) were enrolled. Based on the TNM classification, the patients were classified as having stage I-IV laryngeal cancer. The control group was composed of 15 healthy volunteers (12 men and three women) aged between 43 and 82 years (median age: 61 years). The protocol of the study was approved by the Local Bioethical Committee at the Medical University of Lublin.Peripheral blood samples (15 ml) from the basilic vein were collected by venipuncture using sterile, sodium heparin-treated tubes (20 units per ml of blood) and used for cytometric analyses.ResultsiNKT cells were analysed among T CD3+ cells. The percentage of CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ T cells before tumour resection was higher than in the control group, but the increase of CD3+ T cells was not significant. The T CD3+CD4+ / T CD3+CD8+ cell ratio was significantly higher than in healthy donors. After tumour resection a decreased percentage of CD3+CD4+ T cells but an increased percentage of CD8+CD3+T cells was noted. The T CD3+CD4+ / T CD3+CD8+ cell ratio was significantly higher in patients before and after the surgery than in the control group. The amount of NKT-like cells increased after resection and was significantly higher than in the control group.ConclusionsOur study exhibited the change in percentage of iNKT, NK, NKT-like cells, and T lymphocytes after tumour resection in patients with laryngeal cancer. The research explains the contribution of those cells in immunological response against tumour.

The Role of Natural Killer T Cells in Cancer—A Phenotypical and Functional Approach

“…Interestingly, late-stage cancer patients presented with lower type I NKT cell numbers than early-stage cancer patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma or laryngeal cancer ( 218 , 221 ), suggesting cancer-mediated depletion of NKT cells. After resection of the primary tumor, type I NKT cell numbers did not increase in patients with different cancer types ( 213 , 220 ). By contrast, circulating NKT-like cell numbers were not decreased in patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, gastric cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma ( 91 , 92 , 220 ).…”

“…After resection of the primary tumor, type I NKT cell numbers did not increase in patients with different cancer types ( 213 , 220 ). By contrast, circulating NKT-like cell numbers were not decreased in patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, gastric cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma ( 91 , 92 , 220 ).…”

Effectiveness ofHaemophilus influenzaetype b vaccination after splenectomy - impact on selected immunological parameters

“…[21][22][23] In addition, recent studies have shown that the population of type-I NKT cells (also known as invariant NKT, or iNKT, cells) with the phenotype CD4-NK1.1 can rapidly secrete a significant amount of IL-17. [24][25][26][27] This rapid cytokine release is possible, at least in part, because of pre-formed cytokine-encoding mRNA, such as for IFN-gamma and IL-4. In this way, these cells can start cytokine secretion faster, without the need for gene transcription.…”

“…The results were analyzed with CellQuest Pro software (Becton Dickinson, USA). 26,31 Assessment of regulatory t cells Treg CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cells were prepared for visualization from the fresh blood samples at the time of sample collection. The cells were stained according to the manufacturer's instructions.…”

Deviations in Peripheral Blood Cell Populations are Associated with the Stage of Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Presence of Itching

“…A minimum of 10,000 events was acquired and analyzed using CellQuest Software (BD Biosciences, USA). The percentage of cells expressing surface markers were analyzed (Hus et al 2011 ; Klatka et al 2017 ; Nowicka et al 2017 ; Pasiarski et al 2015 ).…”