Analyzing the Spatial Distribution of Immune Cells in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Florina Almarii1,2, Maria Sajin2,3, George Simion3
1Department of Pathology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania.
Insights
This study reveals key immune cell interactions in lung adenocarcinoma, showing PD-L1 expression correlates with specific immune cells. Understanding this spatial immune profile can guide immunotherapy selection for patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Investigating the tumor immune microenvironment is crucial for understanding lung adenocarcinoma.
- Focus on immune cell distribution within the tumor microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze immune cell distribution and correlations with PD-L1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.
- To explore spatial heterogeneity of the immune landscape within tumors.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 50 lung adenocarcinoma cases using tissue microarrays.
- Stained sections for H&E, CD68, CD163, CD8, CD4, and PD-L1.
- Compared immune cell components between tumor center and periphery.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations found between PD-L1 expression and CD163+ macrophages.
- Correlations identified between CD4+ cells and CD8+, CD68+, CD163+ cells.
- Spatial heterogeneity in immune cell correlations with PD-L1 noted between tumor regions.
Conclusions:
- Highlights complex immune cell and tumor cell interactions in lung adenocarcinoma.
- Suggests patient spatial immune profiling can optimize immunotherapy selection.
- Aims to improve patient outcomes by identifying those most likely to respond to immunotherapy.
Abstract:
(1) Background: This study investigates the tumor immune microenvironment, focusing on immune cell distribution in lung adenocarcinoma. (2) Methods: We evaluated fifty cases of lung adenocarcinoma, and suitable areas for further studies were annotated on the histological slides. Two tumor cores per case were obtained, one from the tumor's center and another from its periphery, and introduced into three paraffin receptor blocks for optimized processing efficiency. The 4-micrometer-thick tissue microarray sections were stained for H&E and for CD68, CD163, CD8, CD4, and PD-L1; (3) Results: Our investigation revealed significant correlations between PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and the presence of CD163+ macrophages, between CD4+ cells and CD8+, CD68+, and CD163+ cells, and also between CD8+ T cells and CD163+ cells. Additionally, while we observed some differences in cellular components and densities between the tumor center and periphery, these differences were not statistically significant. However, distinct correlations between PD-L1 and immune cells in these regions were identified, suggesting spatial heterogeneity in the immune landscape. (4) Conclusions: These results emphasize the intricate interactions between immune cells and tumor cells in lung adenocarcinoma. Understanding patient spatial immune profile could improve patient selection for immunotherapy, ensuring that those most likely to benefit are identified.
