Decreased migration of myeloid dendritic cells through increased levels of C-reactive protein.
BACKGROUND
In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a variety of immunomodulatory mediators contribute to strongly impaired immune functions. The secretion of C-reactive protein (CRP) by HNSCC cells and its influence on human myeloid dendritic cells (MDC) was investigated.


METHODS
The CRP levels were analyzed using photometric methods and real-time PCR. The MDC were isolated from peripheral blood by 'magnetic bead separation' and incubated with different CRP concentrations. The CRP isoforms were analyzed by native PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). The cells were analyzed using migration assays and flow cytometry.


RESULTS
HNSCC cell lines were able to autonomously express C-reactive protein. Pentameric CRP triggered the down-regulation of chemokine receptor CCR5 and led to a decreased migration of human MDC.


CONCLUSIONS
CRP appeared to be a modulator of the migration activity of human MDC. The functional modulation of immune cells represents a crucial immune escape mechanism of human carcinomas.
Frenzel
Henning
H
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Division of Nephrology, University of Schleswig-Holstein Campus Lübeck, 23538 Lübeck, Germany.
Pries
Ralph
R
Brocks
Carsten P
CP
Jabs
Wolfram J
WJ
Wittkopf
Nadine
N
Wollenberg
Barbara
B
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019713:Receptors, CCR5; D002097:C-Reactive Protein