Bergmann C
Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Essen (AöR), Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland,
HNO. 2014 Jun;62(6):406-14. doi: 10.1007/s00106-014-2874-9.
NK cells represent the cells of the immune system most effective for eradication of infected or neoplastic cells. Regulatory T cells and the two main subgroups thereof-the naturally occurring nTregs and the tumor-associated induced Tregs (iTregs)-play an important role in the antitumor immune response in cancer patients. The current study explores the intercellular interactions of these groups of cells in tumor patients, particularly in head and neck cancer. Critical interactions between these cells and the cancer cells could be observed in extensive experimental analyses. Firstly, we generated tumor-associated iTregs in a specific human culture. Subsequently, various phenotypic and functional relationships between these cells, nTregs, NK cells and tumor cells were analyzed in an autologous system. Although the activity of naive NK cells was enhanced by iTregs in the presence of tumor cells, the cytotoxic function of NK cells activated by interleukin-2 was markedly inhibited by iTregs and nTregs. Our group was able to document new insights into the complex regulation of human NK cells and regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment. These new insights may be of relevance for an improved understanding of the antitumor immune response and the development of immunotherapeutic strategies.
自然杀伤细胞是免疫系统中最有效地根除受感染细胞或肿瘤细胞的细胞。调节性T细胞及其两个主要亚群——天然存在的自然调节性T细胞（nTregs）和肿瘤相关诱导调节性T细胞（iTregs）——在癌症患者的抗肿瘤免疫反应中发挥着重要作用。当前的研究探讨了肿瘤患者中这些细胞群之间的细胞间相互作用，尤其是在头颈癌患者中。在广泛的实验分析中可以观察到这些细胞与癌细胞之间的关键相互作用。首先，我们在特定的人类培养物中生成了肿瘤相关的iTregs。随后，在自体系统中分析了这些细胞、nTregs、自然杀伤细胞和肿瘤细胞之间的各种表型和功能关系。尽管在肿瘤细胞存在的情况下，幼稚自然杀伤细胞的活性会被iTregs增强，但白细胞介素-2激活的自然杀伤细胞的细胞毒性功能会被iTregs和nTregs显著抑制。我们的团队能够记录对肿瘤微环境中人类自然杀伤细胞和调节性T细胞复杂调节的新见解。这些新见解可能有助于更好地理解抗肿瘤免疫反应和免疫治疗策略的发展。
