phs001824
RNASeq of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in head and neck squamous cell cancer patients
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are a subset of dendritic cells with unique immunophenotypic properties and functions. While their role in antiviral immunity through production of type I interferons is well-established, their contributions to anti-tumor immunity are less clear. While some evidence demonstrates that pDC in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may drive CD4+ T cell to become Foxp3+ T regulatory cells, little is understood about the relationship of pDC with cytotoxic CD8+ T cell, the key player in antitumor immune responses. In this study, we perform comprehensive immunophenotyping and functional analysis of pDC from the TME and draining lymph nodes of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and identify a novel pDC subset characterized by expression of the TNF receptor superfamily member CD134 (OX40). We show that OX40 expression is expressed on intratumoral pDC in both humans and mice in a tumor-model specific fashion... (for more see dbGaP study page.)