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Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Reproductive Immunology with a Protocol for the Quantitative Evaluation of Endometrial Immune Cells
Published on: October 13, 2023
Expression of immune checkpoint molecules in endometrial carcinoma
Jia Liu1, Yuling Liu1, Wuliang Wang1
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450014, P.R. China.
Abstract:
The main obstacle in the development of an effective tumor vaccine is the inherent ability of tumors to evade immune responses. Tumors often use common immune mechanisms and regulators to evade the immune system. The present study aimed to analyze the expression levels of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), programmed death-ligand (PD-L) 1, PD-L2, B7-H4, galectin-1 and galectin-3 in tissue samples from patients with endometrial carcinoma, in order to detect the immunosuppressive environment of endometrial carcinomas. The levels of IDO, PD-L1, PD-L2 and B7-H4 were analyzed by immunohistochemical methods, and the levels of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in tumor lysates were determined using ELISA. PD-L2 was expressed at low levels in the majority of tumor samples. IDO expression was detected in 38, 63 and 43% of primary endometrial carcinoma, recurrent endometrial carcinoma, and metastatic endometrial carcinoma specimens, respectively. Positive expression rates for PD-L1 were 83% in primary endometrial carcinoma, 68% in recurrent endometrial carcinoma, and 100% in metastatic endometrial carcinoma, whereas B7-H4 expression was detected in 100% of both primary endometrial carcinoma and recurrent endometrial carcinoma samples, and in 96% of metastatic endometrial carcinoma specimens. The expression levels of galectin-1 and galectin-3 were not significantly different between the normal and tumor specimens. The results of the present study suggest that the interaction between PD-1/PD-L1 and B7-H4 may be a potential target for immune intervention in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma. Furthermore, the results may provide the basis for immunosuppressant therapy in the treatment of patients with uterine cancer.
Insights
Tumors evade immune responses, hindering vaccine development. This study found high expression of PD-L1 and B7-H4 in endometrial cancer, suggesting these as targets for immune intervention and immunosuppressant therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Tumor immune evasion is a major barrier to effective cancer vaccines.
- Tumors utilize immune evasion mechanisms to suppress anti-tumor responses.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of key immunosuppressive molecules in endometrial carcinoma.
- To identify potential targets for immunotherapy in endometrial cancer.
- To analyze the tumor microenvironment in primary, recurrent, and metastatic endometrial carcinoma.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the levels of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), programmed death-ligand (PD-L) 1, PD-L2, and B7-H4.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) determined galectin-1 and galectin-3 levels.
- Expression analysis was performed on tissue samples from patients with endometrial carcinoma.
Main Results:
- High expression rates of PD-L1 (up to 100%) and B7-H4 (up to 100%) were observed in endometrial carcinoma samples.
- IDO expression was detected in a significant percentage of primary, recurrent, and metastatic tumors.
- Galectin-1 and galectin-3 levels did not differ significantly between tumor and normal tissues.
- PD-L2 showed low expression in most samples.
Conclusions:
- The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and B7-H4 represent promising targets for immune intervention in endometrial carcinoma.
- Findings support the potential for immunosuppressant therapy in uterine cancer treatment.
- Targeting these molecules may overcome tumor-induced immune suppression and enhance treatment efficacy.
