title: Human ovarian tumor ascites fluids rapidly and reversibly inhibit T cell receptor-induced NF-κB and NFAT signaling in tumor-associated T cells.
abstract: Human memory T cells present in ovarian tumor ascites fluids fail to respond normally to stimulation via the T cell receptor (TCR). This immunosuppression is manifested by decreases in NF-κB and NFAT activation, IFN-γ production, and cell proliferation in response to TCR stimulation with immobilized antibodies to CD3 and CD28. The anergy of the tumor-associated T cells (TATs) is mediated by soluble factors present in ovarian tumor ascites fluids. The non-responsiveness of the T cells is quickly reversed when the cells are assayed in the absence of the ascites fluid, and is rapidly reestablished when a cell-free ascites fluid is added back to the T cells. Based upon the observed normal phosphorylation patterns of the TCR proximal signaling molecules, the inhibition of NF-κB, and NFAT activation in response to TCR stimulation, as well as the ability of the diacylglycerol analog PMA and the ionophore ionomycin to bypass the ascites fluid-induced TCR signaling arrest, the site of the arrest in the activation cascade appears to be at or just upstream of PLC-γ. An identical TCR signaling arrest pattern was observed when T cells derived from normal donor peripheral blood were incubated with either malignant or nonmalignant (cirrhotic) ascites fluids. The immunosuppressive activity of ascites fluids reported here suggests that soluble factors acting directly or indirectly upon T cells present within tumors contribute to the anergy that has previously been observed in T cells derived from malignant and nonmalignant inflammatory microenvironments. The soluble immunosuppressive factors represent potential therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: The State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Simpson-Abelson
authors.forename: Jenni L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Loyall
authors.forename: Heather K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lehman
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Barnas
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Minderman
authors.forename: Kieran L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: O'Loughlin
authors.forename: Paul K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Thaddeus C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kelleher
authors.forename: Kunle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Odunsi
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Bankert
mesh_terms: D001201:Ascites / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
keywords: T cell activation; T cell anergy; TCR signaling; ovarian ascites; ovarian cancer