Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Neutrophils with Anti-Tumor Properties
10:15

Isolation and Characterization of Neutrophils with Anti-Tumor Properties

Published on: June 19, 2015

Characteristics and mechanism of neutrophil-mediated cytostasis induced by tumor necrosis factor

H Shau1

  • 1Division of Surgical Oncology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|July 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Tumor cell growth is suppressed by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) activated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This TNF-induced suppression is mediated by hydrogen peroxide (HP) produced by PMN, not by TNF itself.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) plays a crucial role in immune responses and inflammation.
  • Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are key immune cells involved in host defense.
  • The anti-tumor activity of PMN is an area of active research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism by which TNF-activated PMN suppress tumor cell growth.
  • To determine the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), specifically hydrogen peroxide (HP), in this suppressive activity.
  • To elucidate the signaling pathway involved in TNF-induced PMN anti-proliferative function.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of PMN with recombinant TNF (rTNF) and subsequent co-culture with tumor cell lines (Raji, K562, UCLA-SO-M14, U937).
  • Use of neutralizing antibodies against TNF and scavengers for reactive oxygen species (catalase, superoxide dismutase) to assess the role of TNF and HP.
  • Measurement of HP production by PMN and assessment of HP's direct cytostatic effect on tumor cells.

Main Results:

  • TNF-activated PMN exhibited significant suppressive activity against four different tumor cell lines.
  • Neutralization of TNF before PMN activation blocked the anti-proliferative effect.
  • The suppressive activity was dependent on hydrogen peroxide (HP) production by PMN, as indicated by inhibition with catalase.
  • Continuous presence of TNF was not required for the anti-proliferative function after PMN activation.
  • HP alone demonstrated cytostatic effects on Raji cells, but TNF did not enhance Raji cell sensitivity to HP.

Conclusions:

  • TNF-activated PMN induce cytostasis in tumor cells through a mechanism involving hydrogen peroxide (HP).
  • The anti-proliferative effect is mediated by locally high concentrations of HP produced by PMN, rather than by direct action of TNF.
  • These findings highlight a novel mechanism of anti-tumor activity involving PMN and HP, with potential therapeutic implications.

More Related Videos

Neutrophil Isolation and Analysis to Determine their Role in Lymphoma Cell Sensitivity to Therapeutic Agents14:04

Neutrophil Isolation and Analysis to Determine their Role in Lymphoma Cell Sensitivity to Therapeutic Agents

Published on: March 25, 2016

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo08:19

Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo

Published on: July 20, 2019

Related Concept Videos

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Necrosis01:16

Necrosis

Necrosis is considered as an “accidental” or unexpected form of cell death that ends in cell lysis. The first noticeable mention of “necrosis” was in 1859 when Rudolf Virchow used this term to describe advanced tissue breakdown in his compilation titled “Cell Pathology”.
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...