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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Evaluation of Tumor-infiltrating Leukocyte Subsets in a Subcutaneous Tumor Model
Published on: April 13, 2015
Tumor growth decreases NK and B cells as well as common lymphoid progenitor
John Richards1, Beth McNally, Xianfeng Fang
1Department of Pathology, Division of Cancer Immunology, The Ohio State University Medical Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America.
Background:
It is well established that chronic tumor growth results in functional inactivation of T cells and NK cells. It is less clear, however, whether lymphopoeisis is affected by tumor growth.
Principal Findings:
In our efforts of analyzing the impact of tumor growth on NK cell development, we observed a major reduction of NK cell numbers in mice bearing multiple lineages of tumor cells. The decrease in NK cell numbers was not due to increased apoptosis or decreased proliferation in the NK compartment. In addition, transgenic expression of IL-15 also failed to rescue the defective production of NK cells. Our systematic characterization of lymphopoeisis in tumor-bearing mice indicated that the number of the common lymphoid progenitor was significantly reduced in tumor-bearing mice. The number of B cells also decreased substantially in tumor bearing mice.
Conclusions And Significance:
Our data reveal a novel mechanism for tumor evasion of host immunity and suggest a new interpretation for the altered myeloid and lymphoid ratio in tumor bearing hosts.
Insights
Tumor growth significantly reduces natural killer (NK) cell numbers by impairing lymphoid progenitor development, not by affecting NK cells directly. This impacts host immunity and alters immune cell ratios.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cancer Biology
- Hematopoiesis
Background:
- Chronic tumor growth is known to cause functional inactivation of T cells and NK cells.
- The effect of tumor growth on lymphopoiesis (lymphoid cell development) remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of tumor growth on NK cell development and lymphopoiesis.
- To understand the mechanisms behind reduced NK cell numbers in tumor-bearing hosts.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of NK cell numbers and development in mice with multiple tumor lineages.
- Assessment of NK cell apoptosis and proliferation.
- Evaluation of IL-15's effect on NK cell production.
- Systematic characterization of lymphopoiesis in tumor-bearing mice, including common lymphoid progenitors and B cells.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in NK cell numbers was observed in mice bearing multiple tumor lineages.
- This decrease was not attributed to increased NK cell apoptosis or reduced proliferation.
- Transgenic IL-15 expression did not restore defective NK cell production.
- A significant reduction in common lymphoid progenitor numbers was found in tumor-bearing mice.
- Substantial decreases in B cell numbers were also noted.
Conclusions:
- Tumor growth impairs NK cell development by reducing common lymphoid progenitors.
- This represents a novel mechanism of tumor evasion of host immunity.
- Findings offer a new interpretation for altered myeloid/lymphoid ratios in tumor-bearing hosts.
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