title: Akt promotes irradiation-induced regulatory T-cell survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiotherapy is an efficient remedy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (Hca); however, some cancer cells can still survive from the radiation and the therapeutic effect is to be improved. Regulatory T cell (Tregs)-induced tumor tolerance and Akt expression play important roles in the tumor survival. This study aims to elucidate the role of radiation induces Akt expression in Tregs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A rat Hca model was developed. Hca tissue was collected from the rats with or without radiotherapy. The frequency of Treg and apoptotic Treg in Hca tissue was assessed by flow cytometry. A cell culture model was used to investigate the mechanism by which the tumor-infiltrating Tregs survive from irradiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After radiotherapy, the frequency of Treg was increased in Hca, the frequency of apoptotic Tregs was decreased and the expression of Akt was increased in the remaining Tregs. The results were reproduced in vitro with a cell culture model. The addition of Akt inhibitor blocked the irradiation-induced Treg survival. Tregs with high levels of Akt still preserve the immune suppressor function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Akt plays an important role in the radiation-induced tumor-infiltrating Treg survival in Hca.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Chuan-Gang
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Mei-Rong
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Feng-Lin
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ying-Jia
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ai-Min
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011915:Rats, Inbred BUF; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt