Regulatory T cells in the actinic cheilitis

Author(s)

Gasparoto, Thais Helena ^[1] ; de Souza Malaspina, Tatiana Salles ^[1] ; Damante, Jose Humberto ^[2] ; de Mello, Jr., Edgard Franco ^[3] ; Valerio Ikoma, Maura Rosane ^[4] ; Garlet, Gustavo Pompermaier ^[1] ; Sales Nogueira Costa, Maria Renata ^[3] ; Cavassani, Karen Angelica ^[5] ; da Silva, Joao Santana ^[6] ; Campanelli, Ana Paula ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Bauru Sch Dent, Dept Biol Sci, Bauru - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Bauru Sch Dent, Dept Stomatol, Bauru - Brazil

^[3] Lauro de Souza Lima Inst, Bauru - Brazil

^[4] Amaral Carvalho Hosp, Jau - Brazil

^[5] Univ Michigan, Sch Med, Dept Pathol, Ann Arbor, MI - USA

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biochem & Immunol, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE; v. 43, n. 10, p. 754-760, NOV 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

BackgroundActinic cheilitis (AC) is an oral potentially malignant lesion which is the counterpart of actinic keratosis of the skin and has potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have a critical role in modulating the antitumor immune responses. The presence of regulatory T cells in potentially malignant lesions has not been described. We chose investigate the involvement of regulatory T cells in potentially malignant lesions. MethodsThe frequency, phenotype, and activity of CD4+CD25+ T cells isolated from blood and lesion of AC patients were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokines were quantified by ELISA. Data were compared with samples from healthy subjects. ResultsThe frequency and suppressor activity of circulating CD4+CD25+ T cells was similar in AC patients and control subjects. However, the frequencies of IL-10-positive Tregs were higher in AC patients, and these cells inhibited interferon-gamma (IFN-) and increased interleukin (IL)-10 productions in co-cultures. Furthermore, CD4+CD25+ T cells accumulate in AC lesions. Lesions-derived regulatory T cells suppressed lymphocyte proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Moreover, high levels of IL-10 and transforming growth factor- (TGF-), and low IFN- were detected in the potentially malignant lesions. ConclusionTherefore, our data show that Tregs accumulate in AC lesions, and these cells could be suppressing immune responses in a potentially malignant microenvironment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 06/04264-9 - The role of Regulatory T cells in the modulation of tumorigenesis of actinic cheilitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma: correlation between clinical behavior and prognosis
• Grantee: Ana Paula Campanelli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/14127-7 - The role of inflammasomes in chemically induced tumor
• Grantee: Thaís Helena Gasparoto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral