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Mass Cytometry Analysis of Systemic and Local Immune Responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: April 25, 2025
Aberrant alteration of peripheral B lymphocyte subsets in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Jiaoxiang Wu1,2, Yue Wang3, Shihao Bai4
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Altered B cell subsets, specifically increased B10 cells and decreased MZB cells, are linked to liver cancer (HCC). These changes and elevated IL-10 may serve as biomarkers and immunotherapy targets for HCC.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Hepatology
Background:
- B lymphocytes play a role in immune responses, but their specific functions in antitumor immunity, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remain unclear.
- Understanding B cell subset dynamics is crucial for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of B lymphocyte subsets in the antitumor immune response within hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- To identify potential B cell-related biomarkers for HCC diagnosis and prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of single-cell data from GEO datasets.
- Flow cytometry to analyze peripheral blood B cell subsets in 89 HCC patients and 33 healthy controls.
- Measurement of IL-10 levels in HCC patient serum.
Main Results:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients exhibited a higher frequency of B10 cells and a lower percentage of Marginal Zone B (MZB) cells compared to healthy controls.
- These alterations in B cell subsets were observed early and B10 cell frequency decreased post-surgery.
- Elevated serum IL-10 levels positively correlated with B10 cells in HCC patients.
Conclusions:
- Altered B cell subsets are associated with the development and prognosis of HCC.
- Increased B10 cells and IL-10 may promote liver tumor development and could serve as predictive biomarkers.
- B cell subsets and associated cytokines represent potential targets for HCC immunotherapy.
Abstract:
Although B lymphocytes are widely known to participate in the immune response, the conclusive roles of B lymphocyte subsets in the antitumor immune response have not yet been determined. Single-cell data from GEO datasets were first analyzed, and then a B cell flow cytometry panel was used to analyze the peripheral blood of 89 HCC patients and 33 healthy controls recruited to participate in our research. Patients with HCC had a higher frequency of B10 cells and a lower percentage of MZB cells than healthy controls. And the changes in B cell subsets might occur at an early stage. Moreover, the frequency of B10 cells decreased after surgery. Positively correlated with B10 cells, the elevated IL-10 level in HCC serum may be a new biomarker in HCC identification. For the first time, our results suggest that altered B cell subsets are associated with the development and prognosis of HCC. Increased B10 cell percentage and IL-10 in HCC patients suggest they might augment the development of liver tumors. Hence, B cell subsets and related cytokines may have predictive value in HCC patients and could be potential targets for immunotherapy in HCC.
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