Tumor-infiltrating macrophages and dendritic cells in human colorectal cancer: relation to local regulatory T cells, systemic T-cell response against tumor-associated antigens and survival.
BACKGROUND
Although systemic T-cell responses against tumor antigens and tumor infiltration by T cells have been investigated in colorectal cancer (CRC), the initiation of spontaneous immune responses in situ is not well understood. Macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) play an important role as a link between innate and adaptive immune response. The aim of the present study was to analyze macrophage and DC infiltration in CRC and to investigate whether there is a correlation to systemic T-cell response, regulatory T cell (Treg) infiltration, and survival.


METHODS
Immunohistological staining was performed with nine markers for macrophages and DC (CD68, CD163, S100, CD11c, CD208, CD209, CD123, CD1a, Langerin) in 40 colorectal cancer samples from patients, in whom the state of systemic T-cell responses against tumor-associated antigens (TAA) and Treg infiltration had previously been determined.


RESULTS
All specimens contained cells positive for CD68, CD163, S100 and CD1a in epithelial tumor tissue and tumor stroma. Only a very few (less than median 3/HPF) CD123+, CD1a+, CD11c+, CD 208+, CD209+, or Langerin+ cells were detected in the specimens. Overall, we found a trend towards increased infiltration by S100-positive DC and a significantly increased number of stromal S100-positive DC in patients without T-cell response. There was an increase of stromal S100 DC and CD163 macrophages in limited disease (S100: 11.1/HPF vs. 7.3/HPF, p = 0.046; CD163: 11.0/HPF vs. 8.1/HPF, p = 0.06). We found a significant, positive correlation between S100-positive DC and FOXP3-positive Tregs. Survival in patients with high DC infiltration was significantly better than that in those with low DC infiltration (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we found a trend towards better survival for increased infiltration with CD163-positive macrophages (p = 0.07).


CONCLUSIONS
The present in situ study adds new data to the discussion on the interaction between the innate and adoptive immune system. Our data strongly support the hypothesis that tumor-infiltrating DC are a key factor at the interface between innate and adaptive immune response in malignant disease. Tumor infiltrating S100-positive DC show an inverse relationship with the systemic antigen-specific T-cell response, a positive correlation with regulatory T cells, and a positive association with survival in CRC. These data put tumor-infiltrating DC at the center of the relevant immune response in CRC.
Department of Hematology and Oncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany. dirk.nagorsen@charite.de
Dirk
D
Nagorsen
Sabine
S
Voigt
Erika
E
Berg
Harald
H
Stein
Eckhard
E
Thiel
Christoph
C
Loddenkemper
D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000737:chemistry; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism; D000098902:CD163 Antigen
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000098902:CD163 Antigen; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D009418:S100 Proteins