title: Analysis of dendritic cell subpopulations in follicular lymphoma with respect to the tumor immune microenvironment.
abstract: The immune cell composition of the follicular lymphoma (FL) tumor microenvironment is increasingly recognized as an important determinant for clinical outcome. Here, we explored frequency and distribution of dendritic cell (DC) subtypes in relation to regulatory T cells (Treg) by immunohistochemistry in lymph node biopsies from patients with de novo FL. We found that neoplastic follicles contained lower DC and higher Treg frequencies than hyperplastic follicles in control lymph nodes. Treg numbers particularly correlated with the subset of conventional CD11c(+ )DCs. Additionally, both a high intra- to interfollicular ratio of CD11c(+ )DCs and increased intrafollicular Treg frequencies were associated with decreased overall survival. This suggests that functional interactions between these cells may be relevant for FL progression/recurrence. The presence of CD11c(+ )DCs in the tumor microenvironment may assist tumor infiltration by Tregs, thus contributing to the suppression of an otherwise beneficial T-cell-dominated FL microenvironment.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Rheumatology/Clinical Immunology , University Medical Centre Freiburg , Freiburg , Germany ;
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chevalier
authors.affiliation: b Department of Hematology/Oncology , University Medical Centre Freiburg , Freiburg , Germany ;
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: c Department of Hematology and Oncology , University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Erlangen , Germany ;
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mougiakakos
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medical Biometry and Statistics , University Medical Centre Freiburg , Freiburg , Germany ;
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ihorst
authors.affiliation: b Department of Hematology/Oncology , University Medical Centre Freiburg , Freiburg , Germany ;
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.affiliation: e Pathology Institute, University Medical Centre Freiburg , Freiburg , Germany ;
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmitt-Graeff
authors.affiliation: f Department of Hematology , Leiden University Medical Centre , Leiden , the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Veelken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens
keywords: Dendritic cells; follicular hyperplasia; follicular lymphoma; regulatory T cells; tumor microenvironment