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Human lung cancer cells express functionally active Toll-like receptor 9
Daniel Droemann1, Dirk Albrecht, Johannes Gerdes
1Medical Clinic, Research Center Borstel, D-23845 Borstel, Germany. ddroemann@fz-borstel.de
Respiratory Research
|January 6, 2005
Summary
Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is expressed in lung cancer cells, potentially impacting CpG-oligonucleotide (CpG-ODN) therapies. This finding highlights the active role of malignant cells in tumor immunology.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- CpG-oligonucleotides (CpG-ODN) signal via Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and are explored as cancer and infection adjuvants.
- TLR9 is expressed in immune cells like dendritic cells, B-lymphocytes, and monocytes.
- Investigating TLR9 in tumor cells could refine CpG-ODN treatment strategies and clarify tumor immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if bacterial DNA directly interacts with tumor cells.
- To investigate the expression and function of TLR9 in human malignant solid tumors and cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, and DNA sequencing were used to assess TLR9 expression in lung cancer tissues and cell lines.
- Flow cytometry (FACS) and the Bio-Plex system were employed to detect apoptosis and chemokine expression.
Main Results:
- High TLR9 expression was observed in the cytoplasm of most lung cancer specimens and all tested tumor cell lines.
- Non-malignant lung tissues exhibited only weak and sporadic TLR9 expression.
- CpG-ODN stimulation of cancer cells induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secretion and reduced apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is expressed in human lung cancer tissues and various tumor cell lines.
- Functional TLR9 expression in tumors may influence CpG-ODN treatment approaches.
- Malignant cells can be considered active participants in tumor immunology.