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Defective natural killer activity in gastric cancer patients: possible involvement of suppressor factor receptor
Y Yamaguchi1, I Takashima, M Funakoshi
1Department of Surgery, Hiroshima University, Japan.
Abstract:
The mechanism of defective natural killer (NK) activity in gastric cancer patients was studied with respect to the soluble immune suppressor factor receptor on NK cells. Phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-CD8 and -CD16 antibodies were used for the determination of NK phenotype, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) was for the lymphocyte surface receptor of soluble immune suppressor factor (SISF). It was found that NK activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) isolated from gactric cancer patients decreased with tumor progression in spite of an increasing tendency of their CD16+ population. The WGA+ population of PBLs inversely increased in parallel with cancer progression and a significant negative correlation was found between NK activity and the WGA+ population. Two-color flow cytometry showed a significant increase of WGA+ cells in the CD8dim and CD16+ population in advanced cancer patients. It is suggested that an increase of surface receptors for SISF on NK cells may, in part, cause the diminished NK activity in gastric cancer patients.
Insights
Natural killer (NK) cell activity diminishes in gastric cancer patients as the disease progresses. This decrease is linked to an increased presence of surface receptors for soluble immune suppressor factor (SISF) on NK cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cell activity is crucial for immune surveillance against cancer.
- Defective NK cell function has been observed in various malignancies, including gastric cancer.
- The specific mechanisms underlying NK cell dysfunction in gastric cancer require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism of impaired NK cell activity in gastric cancer patients.
- To examine the role of soluble immune suppressor factor (SISF) receptors on NK cells.
- To correlate NK cell activity with tumor progression and specific cell surface markers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-CD8 and -CD16 antibodies to determine NK cell phenotype.
- Employed fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) to identify lymphocyte surface receptors for SISF.
- Performed two-color flow cytometry on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from gastric cancer patients and controls.
Main Results:
- NK cell activity in gastric cancer patients decreased with tumor progression.
- The CD16+ population of NK cells showed an increasing tendency with tumor progression.
- A parallel inverse increase in WGA+ PBLs was observed with cancer progression, showing a negative correlation with NK activity.
- Advanced gastric cancer patients exhibited a significant increase in WGA+ cells within the CD8dim and CD16+ populations.
Conclusions:
- Increased surface receptors for SISF on NK cells may contribute to diminished NK activity in gastric cancer.
- The WGA+ population serves as a potential indicator of impaired NK cell function in gastric cancer progression.
- Targeting SISF receptors could be a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing NK cell activity in gastric cancer.