Immunosuppressive Environment in Basal Cell Carcinoma: The Role of Regulatory T Cells.
Interaction between tumour survival tactics and anti-tumour immune response is a major determinant for cancer growth. Regulatory T cells (T-regs) contribute to tumour immune escape, but their role in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is not understood. The fraction of T-regs among T cells was analysed by immunohistochemistry followed by automated image analysis in facial BCC, peritumoural skin and normal, buttock skin. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed for Foxp3 and cytokines involved in T-reg attraction and T-cell activation. T-regs comprised 45% of CD4-cells surrounding BCC. Foxp3 was highly expressed in BCC, but absent in buttock skin. Unexpectedly, expression of Foxp3 was increased in peritumoural skin, with the FoxP3/CD3 fractions exceeding those of BCC (p = 0.0065). Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and T-reg chemokine expression was increased in BCC and peritumoural skin, but not in buttock skin, with expression levels correlating with Foxp3. T-regs are abundantly present both in BCC and in peritumoural skin, mediating an immunosuppressed microenvironment permissive for skin cancer
Department of Dermato-Venerology, Bispebjerg University Hospital, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. silje.haukali.omland.01@regionh.dk.
Silje H
SH
Omland
Patricia S
PS
Nielsen
Lise M R
LM
Gjerdrum
Robert
R
Gniadecki
D001706:Biopsy; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; C418974:FOXP3 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors