Tc17 Cells in Patients with Uterine Cervical Cancer

Abstract

BackgroundThe existence of Tc17 cells was recently shown in several types of infectious and autoimmune diseases, but their distribution and functions in uterine cervical cancer (UCC) have not been fully elucidated.MethodsThe frequency of Tc17 cells in peripheral blood samples obtained from UCC patients, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients and healthy controls was determined by flow cytometry. Besides, the prevalence of Tc17 cells and their relationships to Th17 cells and Foxp3-expressing T cells as well as microvessels in tissue samples of the patients were assessed by immunohistochemistry staining.ResultsCompared to controls, patients with UCC or CIN had a higher proportion of Tc17 cells in both peripheral blood and cervical tissues, but the level of Tc17 cells in UCC tissues was significantly higher than that in CIN tissues. Besides, the increased level of Tc17 in UCC patients was associated with the status of pelvic lymph node metastases and increased microvessel density. Finally, significant correlations of infiltration between Tc17 cells and Th17 cells or Foxp3-expressing T cells were observed in UCC and CIN tissues.ConclusionsThis study indicates that Tc17 cell infiltration in cervical cancers is associated with cancer progression accompanied by increased infiltrations of Th17 cells and regulatory T cells as well as promoted tumor vasculogenesis.

IL-17A-producing T cells and associated cytokines are involved in the progression of gastric cancer

“…Recent studies indicate that Tc17 cells have important roles in the development and metastasis of tumors (44)(45)(46)(47)(48). Elevated proportions of Tc17 cells in patients with cervical cancers are associated with cancer progression that is accompanied by increased infiltrations of Th17 cells as well as enhanced tumor vasculogenesis and metastasis (44).…”

Association of interleukin-17A polymorphisms with the risk of colorectal cancer: A case-control study

“…Heightened IL-17 expression was documented for several tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma [21], cervical cancer [31], lung cancer [32], bladder cancer [20], colorectal cancer [22], and others [19]. According to these studies, IL-17 facilitates tumor progression by inducing angiogenesis.…”

“…According to these studies, IL-17 facilitates tumor progression by inducing angiogenesis. For example, increased intra-tumor accumulation of IL-17A-producing cells was associated with an increased vasculogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma [33], and increased intratumor Tc17 cell activity promoted vasculogenesis in cervical cancer [31]. Furthermore, elevated levels of IL-17A-producing cells was associated with increased lymphangiogenesis in lung cancer [34].…”

Characterization of IL‐22 and IL‐17 Expressing Leukocytes in the Cervix

“…Kondo et al demonstrated that 0.4% of human CD8 + T cells isolated from peripheral blood were capable of expressing IL‐17 when stimulated with PMA and ionomycin. Another group detected Tc17 cells in peripheral blood of patients who had uterine cervical cancer after P/I stimulation and in cervical tissue of the same patients, by immunohistochemistry . In that study, tissue was not stimulated before immunohistochemistry, as the goal was to observe the effect of the cancer on the presence of Tc17 cells.…”