title: Enhanced programmed death 1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) expression in patients with actinic cheilitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: PD-1 and PD-L1 can be involved in tumor escape, and little is known about the role of these molecules in oral tumors or pre-malignant lesions. In the present study, we investigated the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in the blood and lesion samples of patients with actinic cheilitis (AC) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Our results showed that lymphocytes from peripheral blood and tissue samples exhibited high expression of PD-1 in both groups analyzed. Patients with AC presented higher percentage as well as the absolute numbers of CD4+PD-1+ and CD8+PD-1+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) than healthy individuals, while patients with OSCC presented an increased frequency of CD8+PD1+ in PBMC when compared with controls. On the other hand, increased frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing PD-1(+) accumulate in samples from OSCC, and the expression of PD-L1 was intense in OSCC and moderate in AC lesion sites. Lower levels of IFN-γ and higher levels of TGF-β were detected in OSCC samples. Our data demonstrate that PD-1 and PD-L1 molecules are present in blood and samples of AC and OSCC patients. Further studies are required to understand the significance of PD-1 and PD-L1 in oral tumors microenvironment.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Al. Octávio Pinheiro Brisolla 9-75, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
authors: Tatiana Salles de Souza
authors: TS
authors: Malaspina
authors: Thaís Helena
authors: TH
authors: Gasparoto
authors: Maria Renata Sales Nogueira
authors: MR
authors: Costa
authors: Edgard Franco
authors: EF
authors: de Melo
authors: Maura Rosane Valério
authors: MR
authors: Ikoma
authors: José Humberto
authors: JH
authors: Damante
authors: Karen Angélica
authors: KA
authors: Cavassani
authors: Gustavo Pompermaier
authors: GP
authors: Garlet
authors: João Santana
authors: JS
authors: da Silva
authors: Ana Paula
authors: AP
authors: Campanelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005881:Gingiva / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; D015996:Survival Rate; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; C423236:CD274 protein, human; D016207:Cytokines; C105992:PDCD1 protein, human; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor