Lung carcinomas decrease the number of monocytes/macrophages (CD14+ cells) that produce TNF-alpha.
The role that inflammation plays in cancer is puzzling. In peripheral blood, TNF-alpha-producing monocytes (CD14+ cells) were compared among patients with lung cancer, patients with tuberculosis and healthy donors; also, in pleural effusion TNF-alpha-producing CD14+ cells were compared between tuberculous patients and lung cancer patients. To analyze the level of the cellular alteration in TNF-alpha production, an experimental model was set up. TNF-alpha-producing CD14+ cells in peripheral blood from lung cancer patients were significantly lower than those from healthy donors. In pleural effusion, TNF-alpha-producing CD14+ cells were significantly lower in lung cancer patients than in tuberculous patients. Based on the results obtained from an experimental model, we suggest that this phenomenon was attributed to a reduced expression of TNF-alpha transcript. These findings provide evidence that lung carcinomas reduce TNF-alpha production by macrophages, possibly by inducing in these cells an M2 phenotype, which favor tumor progression.
Lopez-Gonzalez
Jose Sullivan
JS
Departamento de Enfermedades Cronico-Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Mexico, DF. slopezgonzalez@yahoo.com
Avila-Moreno
Federico
F
Prado-Garcia
Heriberto
H
Aguilar-Cazares
Dolores
D
Mandoki
Juan Jose
JJ
Meneses-Flores
Manuel
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology; D002452:Cell Count; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020298:U937 Cells
D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha