Adenosine and prostaglandin E2 cooperate in the suppression of immune responses mediated by adaptive regulatory T cells

Adaptive regulatory T cells (Tr1) are induced in the periphery upon encountering cognate antigens. In cancer, their frequency is increased; however, Tr1-mediated suppression mechanisms are not yet defined. Here, we evaluate the simultaneous involvement of ectonucleotidases (CD39/CD73) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in Tr1-mediated suppression. Human Tr1 cells were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived, sorted CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells and incubated with autologous immature dendritic cells, irradiated COX-2(+) or COX-2(-) tumor cells, and IL-2, IL-10, and IL-15 (each at 10-15 IU/ml) for 10 days as described (Bergmann, C., Strauss, L., Zeidler, R., Lang, S., and Whiteside, T. L. (2007) Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 56, 1429-1442). Tr1 were phenotyped by multicolor flow cytometry, and suppression of proliferating responder cells was assessed in carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-based assays. ATP hydrolysis was measured using a luciferase detection assay, and levels of adenosine or prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in cell supernatants were analyzed by mass spectrometry or ELISA, respectively. Intracellular cAMP levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The COX-2(+) tumor induced a greater number of Tr1 than COX-2(-) tumor (p < 0.05). Tr1 induced by COX-2(+) tumor were more suppressive, hydrolyzed more exogenous ATP (p < 0.05), and produced higher levels of adenosine and PGE(2) (p < 0.05) than Tr1 induced by COX-2(-) tumor. Inhibitors of ectonucleotidase activity, A(2A) and EP(2) receptor antagonists, or an inhibitor of the PKA type I decreased Tr1-mediated suppression (p < 0.05), whereas rolipram, a PDE(4) inhibitor, increased the intracellular cAMP level in responder cells and their susceptibility to Tr1-mediated suppression. Tr1 present in tumors or the peripheral blood of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients co-expressed COX-2, CD39, and CD73. A concomitant inhibition of PGE(2) and adenosine via the common intracellular cAMP pathway might be a novel approach for improving results of immune therapies for cancer.