No alteration in NK function or zeta chain expression in NK and T cells of cervical cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate in vitro natural killer (NK) cell activity and expression of signal-transducing zeta chains in patients with cervical cancer.


METHODS
Experiments were performed with frozen lymphocytes from patients at all disease stages and from healthy controls. Thawed NK were activated by overnight incubation in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma); activity against two target cell lines was assessed by 4-h (51)Cr release assay. Targets chosen were K562, an erythroleukemic cell line, and a cervical carcinoma cell line designated 808. T and NK cell zeta chain expression was measured by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Patients' NK were found to be as cytotoxic as those of normal controls against cell lines K562 and 808. Patient T and NK cells did not show significant down-regulation of the zeta chain.


CONCLUSIONS
We have found no evidence to suggest that loss of zeta chains is a mechanism for immunocompromise in patients with cervical carcinoma. IFN-recoverable patient NK activity is not reduced compared to matched controls. This may be clinically relevant since NK are active against cells exhibiting class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) down-regulation and many cervical cancers show loss of HLA.
Onon
Toli S
TS
Department of Immunology, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom. toli.onon@srht.nhs.uk
Kitchener
Henry C
HC
Duggan-Keen
Margaret
M
Stern
Peter L
PL
D000367:Age Factors; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D020014:K562 Cells; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D017252:CD3 Complex; C121704:CD3 antigen, zeta chain; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D007371:Interferon-gamma