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Neutrophil Isolation and Analysis to Determine their Role in Lymphoma Cell Sensitivity to Therapeutic Agents
Published on: March 25, 2016
Galectin-9 Triggers Neutrophil-Mediated Anticancer Immunity
Natasha Ustyanovska Avtenyuk1, Ghizlane Choukrani1, Emanuele Ammatuna1
1Department of Hematology, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
Galectin-9 (Gal-9) treatment activates neutrophils, enhancing their ability to eliminate cancer cells through increased phagocytosis and reduced tumor cell adhesion. This study highlights Gal-9
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is known for its roles in adaptive and innate immunity.
- Gal-9 exhibits direct cytotoxic and tumor-selective activity against various cancer cell lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms by which Gal-9 influences cancer cell membranes and immune cell interactions.
- To elucidate the role of Gal-9 in activating neutrophil-mediated anticancer immunity.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of cancer cell lines and mixed neutrophil/tumor cell cultures with Gal-9.
- Analysis of cell membrane alterations, including phosphatidyl serine (PS) externalization and CD47 downregulation.
- Assessment of trogocytosis and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).
- Evaluation of neutrophil activation markers and granule mobilization.
- Measurement of cancer cell adhesion and cytotoxicity in mixed leukocyte-cancer cell cultures.
Main Results:
- Gal-9 treatment induced rapid phosphatidyl serine (PS) externalization and CD47 downregulation on cancer cells.
- Gal-9 promoted trogocytosis and augmented antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) of cancer cells by neutrophils.
- Gal-9 activated neutrophils, upregulating adhesion markers and mobilizing granules, leading to decreased cancer cell adhesion.
- Neutrophil depletion abrogated Gal-9-induced cytotoxicity against pre-adhered cancer cells.
Conclusions:
- Gal-9 treatment effectively activates neutrophil-mediated anticancer immunity.
- Gal-9 facilitates the elimination of epithelial cancer cells through enhanced neutrophil functions.
- Gal-9 represents a promising therapeutic agent for activating innate immune responses against cancer.
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