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Inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth by activated eosinophils
Paulette Furbert-Harris1, Debra Parish-Gause, Ibrahim Laniyan
1Department of Microbiology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC 20060, USA. pfubert-harris@howard.edu
Background:
Host Immune response to prostate cancer primarily involves the CTL and NK effector cells. Recent immunotherapeutic strategies incorporating cytokine genes into the tumor cell and/or dendritic cells have had encouraging results. In this study, we describe the inhibitory activity of a third potential effector cell, the eosinophil, against DU 145 and PC-3 prostate tumor cells growth in vitro.
Methods:
Subconfluent monolayer cultures of DU 145 and PC-3 cells were incubated with peripheral blood eosinophils from allergic or asthmatic individuals and also with eosinophil cultured supernatants. Newly established eosinophil cell lines were also studied. After harvesting, the plates were washed and stained with Hematoxylin/eosin (H/E) then photographed. The combination of monolayer cell growth inhibition and colony formation inhibition assays were used to evaluate eosinophil inhibitory activity. In the colony formation inhibition assay one hundred cells per well in 6-well plates were incubated overnight, after which peripheral blood eosinophils, conditioned media and cytokines, IL-4 and TNF-alpha were added. The plates were harvested after 10 days incubation period. Colonies were stained and counted.
Results:
Hypo- and hyperdense peripheral blood eosinophils from allergic and asthmatic individuals as well as eosinophil cell lines established from these subpopulations inhibited both DU 145 and PC-3 cell growth at 58-78% and 10-38%, respectively. IL-5 up-regulated eosinophil cell line activity by 21-24%. The conditioned media which contained the released mediators of activated eosinophils were potent in their actions on both DU 145 and PC-3, inhibiting colony formation by as much as 90-100%.
Conclusion:
These results clearly demonstrate the inhibitory potential of activated eosinophils and their released "soup" of mediators and therefore support the hypothesis that eosinophils may participate in host response to prostate cancer together with CTLs and NK cells. Furthermore, this study offers insights into possible strategies for enhancing eosinophilic activity in prostate cancer.
Insights
Eosinophils, immune cells not typically studied in prostate cancer, show significant inhibitory effects on tumor cell growth. Their released mediators are highly potent, suggesting a new role for eosinophils in cancer immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cancer Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Host immune response to prostate cancer involves cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells.
- Immunotherapy strategies using cytokines have shown promise.
- This study investigates the inhibitory activity of eosinophils against prostate cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity of eosinophils against DU 145 and PC-3 prostate cancer cell lines.
- To explore the potential role of eosinophils in the host immune response to prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- DU 145 and PC-3 cells were incubated with peripheral blood eosinophils and eosinophil cell lines.
- Cell growth inhibition and colony formation inhibition assays were employed.
- Eosinophil conditioned media and cytokines (IL-4, TNF-alpha) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Eosinophils and eosinophil cell lines inhibited DU 145 and PC-3 cell growth by 58-78% and 10-38%, respectively.
- Interleukin-5 (IL-5) enhanced eosinophil cell line activity.
- Eosinophil-released mediators in conditioned media inhibited colony formation by 90-100%.
Conclusions:
- Activated eosinophils and their mediators possess significant inhibitory potential against prostate cancer cells.
- Eosinophils may play a role in the host immune response to prostate cancer alongside CTLs and NK cells.
- Findings suggest strategies for enhancing eosinophilic activity in prostate cancer treatment.
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